McCabe pushes for stronger ‘revenge porn,’ voyeurism penalties in 2015 legislative sessions

In an effort to enhance laws relating to the harmful distribution of intimate images, Rep. Gina McCabe, R-Goldendale, last week offered an amendment to a bill addressing the criminal act, saying it protects innocent family members from unnecessary prosecution.

The amendment passed with a bipartisan vote, and was McCabe's first striking amendment to pass the House.

House Bill 2160 creates a civil offense for individuals who share intimate images without the consent of the individual depicted — an act sometimes called “revenge porn.” McCabe's striker would improve the bill by:

  • requiring that a person know or reasonably know that disclosure of an intimate image would cause harm;
  • creating an affirmative defense for defendant who is a family member of a minor and who discloses an intimate image of the minor to family if he or she did not intend any harm or harassment;
  • adding “sexual activity” to the definition of “intimate image;” and
  •  requiring the court to make it known to the plaintiff that he or she may use a confidential identity during court proceedings and in some court documents.

“This is an easy fix to an important, bipartisan bill that will ensure victims receive the justice they deserve while protecting those who are not intending harm,” said McCabe. “The bill is intended to prosecute persons intending to cause harm, not mom and dad who are innocently sharing photos of their little ones.”

House Bill 2160 passed the House unanimously June 11 and awaits consideration in the Senate.

McCabe, a varsity coach and performing arts studio owner, also sponsored House Bill 2042 during the regular legislative session to strengthen current voyeurism laws. She became aware of the voyeuristic practice of “up-skirting” — where someone takes a cell phone camera or uses a video feature to record under the skirts of unknown victims — when some of the students she coaches were apprehensive to wear skirts on game days due to the risk of up-skirting.

The bill is still alive in the legislative process.

 

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov