A Woman is the First Person to be Charged Under Virginia’s New ‘Revenge Porn’ Law

Rachel Lynn Craig, 28, has become the first person to be charged under the new revenge porn law which was established in Virginia in July. this legislation was created to address “the unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another”. Craig was charged under this new legislation after she allegedly took a nude picture of a 22-year-old woman from her ex’s cellphone and posted it on Facebook. The woman whose picture was posted was informed by others who saw it. Craig has admitted to stealing the picture.

In order to be charged under this law, there must be proof of “the intent to cause substantial emotional distress”. Brian Edward, a sergeant with the Waynesboro police department said, “What was the intent of Ms. Craig for posting this? She considered the victim a romantic rival for this one individual’s affections and she said that she did it out of anger.” Craig was charged and released on Saturday and could face a maximum of 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,500 if convicted.

Craig is an avid Facebook user and is believed to be a mother of three. She has made some abrasive comments on Facebook before. With one selfie image she posted, she included the comment “Your either on my side, by my side or in my f******* way choose wisely.”

Virginia isn’t the only state to enact legislature to stop revenge porn. Utah and Alaska have also passed similar laws. Idaho, Texas, California and New Jersey have also enacted laws to ban revenge porn. More and more states are drafting their own legislation. Not all states have been successful as yet, but many are showing progress. Slowly but surely, the tide is turning in the fight against revenge porn, and the charges against Rachel Lynn Craig are a good example of one of these laws being put into practice as they should be.

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