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THREAD: Neither Revenge Nor Porn
1. The term "revenge porn" is often associated with the act of an ex partner distributing a sexually explicit photo/video non-consensually on digital platforms as an act of vengeance or rage towards the former partner.
1. The term "revenge porn" is often associated with the act of an ex partner distributing a sexually explicit photo/video non-consensually on digital platforms as an act of vengeance or rage towards the former partner.
2. The term "revenge porn" is misleading and does not reflect the motivation, nature and harms of this despicable act. Many have since called for the use of "Non-consensual Dissemination of Intimate Images’ (NCII), first coined by @CodingRights and @internetlabbr
3. People of any gender identity can be a victim of NCII. However, it is women/girls that are more likely to be targeted, and tend to suffer disproportionate negative consequences.
4. Society's double standards on sexual expression rewards men/boys for heterosexual sexual behaviours while punishes, shames & stigmatises women/girls for the same. Women who are photographed without their consent are dismissed as reckless or stupid; -
5. - women who express their sexuality & exercise their agency by sharing the sexual images with their partners are blamed for being a slut, whore or morally corrupt, and accused of bringing shame to their families/community.
6. For men/boys, there is no comparable negative categorisation for slut or whore. Instead, they may be called a 'playboy', 'casanova' - terms that positively reaffirm their masculinity and sexual expression.
7. The advancement of technology also means that the photos/videos are shared widely across various platforms, having a much wider reach with audiences and with almost no possibility of completely erasing them. Once these photos/videos are out, they are out forever.
8. It is NOT porn! Because the victims never consented to the dissemination of their photo/video. Calling it porn can strongly suggest that victims are consenting porn actresses because of how the porn industry is proliferated with fictional v real depiction of non-consensual sex
9. Using the term "porn" also indicates that the victim's nudity as content to be consumed for one's sexual gratification. NCII is a violation of the victims' agency as only they can decide who else sees these photos or videos. No one else.
10. To persist in disseminating these photos/videos against their will and without their consent is a form of sexual assault.
NCII is NOT revenge! Revenge implies there the victim has committed a prior harm or wrongdoing upon the perpetrator.
NCII is NOT revenge! Revenge implies there the victim has committed a prior harm or wrongdoing upon the perpetrator.
11. NCII means that even if the woman/girl has broken up with the man/boy, consent is still required. NCII is committed on a variety of reasons i.e. financial extortion, voyeuristic desire, pimp, sadistic tendencies, and to subject the victim to public shaming or peer pressure.
12. In most cases, it is done out of spite when the victim ends a relationship - hardly a legitimate wrongdoing. Underlying acts of NCII is the political, economic and cultural power exercised by the perpetrator over the victim. The act of exposing the victim's privacy & nudity-
13. - when done non-consensually, emboldens the perpetrators in the process as the society blames the victim, further adding to the victims' vulnerability & helplessness, with no proper remedies available to them.
14. NCII is an offence in Malaysia under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act - https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2018/04/331480/padah-sebar-gambar-lucah-ex-girlfriend
15. However, NCII is largely underreported. Many victims do not feel safe coming forward to authorities (i.e. school, parents) or law enforcers. For those who have lodged a police report, they are often dismissed or re-traumatised by law enforcers.
16. The problem at its core, is not merely legal or technological, but a cultural one. It is a heineous violation - one that we hear about every now and then, and continues to have devastating impacts on women/girls.
17. As a result, women/girls are known to leave school/employment, become suicidal, suffer mental distress, develop fear of people or have difficulty trusting people, etc.
18. KRYSS Network is currently conducting a survey on NCII and we would appreciate it if this information can be shared widely among your networks. This is part of our efforts to eliminate online gender-based violence &to advocate for a safer digital space https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T5L89T9
19. Also join us this 6 June, Saturday @ 3pm as we dive deep into the rootcauses and pattern of NCII, and most importantly, to discuss what we can do collectively to create a safer digital space for all.
Registration is required - https://bit.ly/3c6FoiO
Registration is required - https://bit.ly/3c6FoiO
