SOCIAL MEDIA: P28

Police Condemn Fresh Nude Video Posted Online

The Fiji Police Force has strongly condemned the public posting of a video showing a nude local woman on a Facebook group famous for online bullying and hate speech.

Nearly five months after a Fiji Sun investigation exposed a racket of over 900 nude images of young Fijian women posted online; cases of alleged revenge porn continue to grow.

The video, acquired by the Fiji Sun before it was swiftly deleted, shows the woman slowly removing her towel in front of a camera. It lasts 40 seconds.

A caption attached to the video, allegedly published by someone using a fake account, suggests it was sent in confidence to a partner. “While the Cyber Crime Unit has not received many reports to date, revenge porn is still a concern considering the impacts it will have on the individual and their loved ones,” said Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro.

“For a third party to publicly share videos intended to be shared between two people with the aim of shaming an individual is not only an offence, but is inconsiderate.” Ms Naisoro asked perpetrators to empathise with victims before deciding to publicly shame anyone. Last September, the shocking discovery of 900 nude images and videos of young Fijian women caused an uproar, sparking a nation-wide debate on cyber laws.

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre condemned the racket as criminal, calling for proactive action from the Police cyber unit.

The victims, who were mostly university students, reluctant to talk, went underground. However, one victim spoke to the Fiji Sun under the condition of anonymity. She said the photos going public nearly led her to suicide. Revenge porn is the sharing of erotic and private photos or videos of any person without their consent and with the express purpose of inflicting emotional pain or embarrassment. It is often aimed at people they were previously in a relationship with.