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New laws are now in force throughout Victoria criminalising the malicious or deliberate sharing of intimate photos of an adult without their consent, or the sharing of images of anyone under 18 years of age, otherwise known as ‘sexting’.
The two new laws attract hefty penalties. Perpetrators found guilty of illegally sharing such images may face a term of imprisonment of up to two years, while anyone who threatens another person with sharing such images faces potential imprisonment of up to one year.
Attorney-General Robert Clark emphasised that it was important that the law keep up with the evolution of technology.
The new laws also exempt those under 18 years of age from being placed on a sex offenders’ register, where they engage in sexting with another minor in a consensual, non-exploitative manner.
In September, pool cleaner, Peter Sheather aged 42 was the first man in New South Wales to be found guilty of the offence after sending a series of lewd and sexually explicit text messages to nine women, all of whom had engaged his pool cleaning services. The text messages contained various photographs and videos of Sheather in the nude and masturbating. During sentencing, Magistrate Roger Prowse described Sheather as a ‘depraved’ man commenting, ‘If you had to look up the word depraved, you would find an entry: Peter Sheather.’ He was sentenced to at least three years imprisonment for his actions.
For more details, contact Criminal Lawyer Melbourne, Criminal Lawyer Clifton Hill Rowan Skinner & Associates Lawyers today.
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Rowan Skinner is a highly skilled family lawyer with over 35 years of experience across various legal roles and jurisdictions. Rowan specialises in resolving family law disputes such as divorce, financial settlements, child custody and domestic violence cases. Through his diverse and extensive experience, Rowan has a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances involved in family law. Rowan is a skilled negotiator and litigator who follows a compassionate and client-focused approach which prioritises helping you navigate what can be an emotional and challenging time.
