Revenge Pornography: Are Australian Laws up to the Challenge?

Revenge pornography, or nonconsensual pornography as it is also known, is the distribution of intimate sexual images by disaffected and disgruntled individuals as a means of seeking vengeance against ex partners. It is highly destructive behaviour which can result in victims being humiliated and distressed, may jeopardise personal and work relationships and can lead to victims being stalked and attracting unwanted attention from strangers. In some cases, victims have felt compelled to change their names and even contemplate suicide. This article considers the response of Australian laws to the scourge of revenge pornography and identifies the many deficiencies in the current patchwork of statute laws and case laws in that country.