Democratic House Candidate’s Case Sparks Legislative Action
The issue of revenge porn took center stage in Virginia state politics last year when Democratic House candidate Susanna Gibson and her husband livestreamed sex videos. Gibson argues that the dissemination of those videos violated the state’s existing revenge porn law. On Wednesday, an 8-0 subcommittee vote advanced the latest legislation to a full committee, indicating that the General Assembly recognizes the severity of the issue and the damage it inflicts on victims.
Expanding the Scope of the Law
The current revenge porn statute in Virginia applies to images in which a person is shown fully nude or partially undressed, with their genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or breasts exposed. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Kaitlin Shin, aims to expand the law to cover images that are “sexual in nature” even if those body parts are not visible. The bill does not provide a specific definition of what constitutes “sexual in nature.”
Extending the Statute of Limitations
In addition to broadening the scope of the law, the bill also seeks to extend the statute of limitations for prosecution. Currently, the statute of limitations is set at five years from the date the offense was committed. The new legislation would increase it to ten years from the date the victim discovers the offense. This extension recognizes that victims often remain unaware of the dissemination of their personal images.
Support from Advocacy Groups
The proposed legislation is receiving support from organizations like the Virginia Victim Assistance Network. Catherine Ford, a lobbyist for the network, emphasizes that intimate images exchanged between consenting individuals are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks that can humiliate victims. Strengthening revenge porn laws is crucial to addressing this issue and protecting individuals from harm.
A Personal Battle and a Call to Action
Susanna Gibson, who experienced the fallout of revenge porn during her House campaign, has not ruled out another run for office. However, she has taken a proactive approach to combatting revenge porn by announcing the formation of a new political action committee. The committee aims to support candidates who are dedicated to addressing gender-based and sexual violence, including revenge porn issues. Gibson emphasizes that these issues affect everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, age, race, or class.
Gibson did not testify at the subcommittee hearing to avoid becoming a “polarizing figure.” However, her case has already sparked a conversation and prompted legislative action. It remains to be seen how the bill will progress and whether Governor Glenn Youngkin will sign it into law.