Gardaí will “prioritise” image-based abuse and investigate all cases where intimate images are shared without consent, a sexual offences detective has said.
Detective Garda Declan Daly, of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, said gardaí can use existing harassment or child abuse laws to tackle image-based abuse ahead of a new law that would criminalise the practice which was previously known as ‘revenge porn’.
Det-Gda Daly said An Garda Síochána’s commitment to victims of sexual abuse “definitely extends to online” and that it could investigate international cases where images of Irish people may be shared online from different countries.
Digital violence on the rise, conference hears
Updated / Wednesday, 16 Dec 2020
11:56
Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly said the affects of image based violence can be harmful, stressful and traumatic for victims
Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent
The Minister for Justice has said she is confident that legislation which will see sharing intimate images without consent become a crime will be enacted this year.
The Harassment, Harmful Communications, and Related Offences Bill is expected to pass through the Dáil and Seanad this week.
Minister Helen McEntee was speaking at the launch of the Rape Crisis Network s 2019 annual report.
The new law comes after intimate images of Irish women were leaked online without their consent.