Revenge porn laws were introduced in England and Wales in April, according to The Guardian.
24-year-old Paige Mitchell was the first woman to be convicted under revenge porn legislation after admitting to posting explicit pictures of her ex-girlfriend on Facebook, according to Buzzfeed News.
“Posting the photos on the internet was a highly vindictive invasion of privacy. It was done with the intention of humiliating and hurting your victim,” stated the chairman of the bench, Bette Hindmarsh.
Mitchell reportedly pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating and one count of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. She was reportedly given a six-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Stevenage magistrates’ court.
Mitchell is reportedly believed to have uploaded the images after a violent argument following accusations that her girlfriend was looking at other women. The images were reportedly removed 30 minutes after they were uploaded, shortly following information that Mitchell was breaking the law.
Although the couple reconciled their differences and continued with their relationship, Mitchell reportedly welcomed a restraining order so the relationship could come to an end for good.
“People who I didn’t want to see my body have seen me [naked]. I don’t want to feel like that,” explained the victim in a statement.
About a dozen men have reportedly been convicted under the new legislation in England.
“These vengeful crimes are predominantly thought of as being carried out by men. This sentencing will highlight that anyone can be guilty of this offense and regardless of the defendant’s gender, once reported, it will be taken seriously,” stated Joanna Coleman, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS Thames and Chiltern.
