Violence against Women and Girls Crime report contents

Disclosing Private Sexual Images without Consent
A defendant who sent intimate photos of a woman to members of her family via
Facebook and threatened to post further pictures online was sentenced to 12 weeks’
imprisonment suspended for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to an offence of
disclosing private sexual images without consent.
Another defendant posted intimate pictures of a woman on Facebook – the victim
was not aware the photo had even been taken, causing further distress. He was
sentenced to a 12 month Community Order, fined £110, ordered to pay court costs of
£295 and given an indefinite restraining order.
Another defendant sent an intimate image of a woman to her friend. He was
sentenced to an 18 week suspended sentence, received a tagged curfew and ordered
to pay costs and compensation.
After sending pictures of a woman to her brother, a defendant was sentenced to 12
weeks’ imprisonment and a restraining order was granted for 3 years.
Another defendant distributed intimate pictures of a woman inside and outside a
supermarket. He received a sentence of 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 18
months, a two year restraining order and costs were awarded against.
Rape Pornography
From 13 April 2015, s.37 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 amended the offence of
possession of extreme pornographic images in s.63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
so that, in England and Wales, the offence can be committed by the possession of extreme
pornographic images depicting non-consensual penetration and rape.
There were three prosecutions commenced in relation to the offence of possession of an extreme
pornographic image portraying rape/assault by penetration in 2015-16.
Prosecution of rape pornography
A former partner of a defendant found extreme pornography and indecent images of children
on his computer. Police examination found more than 100 indecent photographs and videos
of children and a smaller number of extreme pornographic images, including images
depicting rape. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a Community Order lasting 3 years,
with a requirement that he attended a Sex Offender Treatment programme. The Court also
imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 5 years.
From 3 May 2015 s.69 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 created a new offence of possession of a
paedophile manual, which is any item that contains advice or guidance about abusing children
sexually, including grooming. One offence commenced prosecution in 2015-16.
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