California will see over 900 new laws in 2015, and one of those laws protects victims of Internet hacking and "revenge porn" in an act some say feels like "cyber rape."
"These victims are like rape victims, they feel like rape victims," said Charlotte Laws, whose daughter is one of those victims.
Laws' daughter had private photos stolen three years ago and published on one of 3,000 known "revenge porn" websites around the world.
"My daughter had never sent her topless picture to anyone," Laws said. "She had taken the picture in the mirror with her cellphone and sent it through her email to get to her computer, and she was hacked."
At that time, no laws were in place to protect victims of "revenge porn." But under SB 1255, it will be a misdemeanor to distribute a naked picture of someone, often in an act of revenge, even if the photo was originally taken by the naked person.
That charge will apply to people who knowingly "post private naked photos or videos of someone without his or her consent."
And after July, victims whose private images were posted online will be able to sue perpetrators in court using a pseudonym, allowing for the recovery of damages via a civil suit without disclosing a name.
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According to the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, 80 percent of "revenge porn" photos are taken by the victim.
Laws said the new 2015 amendment means that prosecutors no longer have to prove intent.
"It's a very strong law now," Laws said. "We're really protecting pretty much all revenge porn victims."
Laws said if anyone feels they have been a victim, they can contact her via Twitter @CharlotteLaws and visit the nonprofit website www.cybercivilrights.org.
