Inquiry into the Criminal Code (none-consensual sharing of intimate images) Amendment Bill 2018

Currently, a range of criminal offences are perpetrated online. In addition to the commission
of traditional offences, such as fraud, stalking, and domestic violence, new phenomena have
emerged to warrant attention from the media, government, and communities. The phenomenon
colloquially referred to as ‘revenge porn’ stands as one of the greater threats to public morality.
To date, legislative responses to circumscribe revenge porn, both internationally and in
Australia, have been sporadic and disjunctive. This article critically examines the impact and
prevalence of revenge porn and provides a critical analysis of the civil and criminal responses
to its commission. It concludes by arguing that addressing the challenges associated with
investigating such offences, and educating about the dangers of revenge porn have to some
extent been overlooked in the rush to legislate and create new offences. The article highlights
that existing legislation may provide adequate protection.