Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh) announced that he helped pass legislation that will criminalize the unlawful dissemination and publication of intimate images, commonly referred to as revenge porn, and also provide victims with a civil private right of action.

“It’s an injustice that people have been victimized by revenge porn because of a bad breakup, or had their electronic devices hacked or stolen,” Assemblymember Jacobson said. “We’ve seen victims become targets of extortion, harassment and stalking; have devastating consequences to their reputations, employment and physical and emotional well-being. This legislation says enough.”

To prevent this type of unauthorized use, the Assembly passed legislation to make sharing or publishing an intimate image without consent a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail.