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STATEHOUSE — The House of Representatives advanced the legislation protecting you from your intimate photos being shared without your consent.

Wednesday, the House voted in support of State Rep. Mike Speedy’s legislation. 

The legislation would make it a Class A misdemeanor, meaning up to one year in prison for first time offenders who shared intimate pictures of someone without them knowing. Repeat offenders could get up to two-and-a-half years in prison. 

In 2016, The Data and Society Research Institute and the Center for Innovative Public Health Research found 1 in 25 Americans have been a victim of revenge porn.

“Intimate means private but unfortunately, technology has unwittingly become a weapon to hurt people,” Speedy said. “These photos are taken in confidence, and when this trust is broken it can cause irreparable damage to a person’s reputation.”

He says photos like these can also be used in domestic abuse situations to intimidate or threaten the victim. 

If Speedy’s bill becomes law, Indiana would be the 13th state with a “revenge porn” law.

The bill can now be considered by the Senate. 

(Photo: State Rep. Mike Speedy)