Two years in jail for the ‘cyber-flashers’

As research shows 75% of girls aged 12 to 18 have been sent unsolicited nude images by boys or men...

CYBER-flashers will face up to two years behind bars in a new Government crackdown.

Ministers confirmed last night that sending unsolicited sexual images to people via social media or dating apps will become a criminal offence. The measure will be added to existing plans to beef up online protections.

The move comes after research found that three-quarters of girls aged 12 to 18 had been sent unsolicited nude images of boys or men. A Law Commission review, Modernising Communications Offences, recommended that a new offence be created.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said: ‘Protecting women and girls is my top priority, which is why we’re keeping sexual and violent offenders behind bars for longer, giving domestic abuse victims more time to report assaults and boosting funding for support services to £185million per year.

‘Making cyber-flashing a specific crime is the latest step, sending a clear message to perpetrators that they will face jail time.’

The new move will apply to England and Wales – cyber-flashing has been illegal in Scotland since 2010.

Officials said last night the law change would mean anyone who sent a photograph or film of a person’s genitals, for the purpose of their own sexual gratification or to cause the victim humiliation, alarm or distress, could face up to two years in prison.

Cyber-flashing typically involves offenders sending an unsolicited sexual

‘Heinous behaviour from those who wish to abuse’

image to people via social media, dating apps or data-sharing technologies such as Bluetooth.

In some instances, a preview of the photo can appear on a person’s device, meaning that even if the transfer is rejected, victims are forced into seeing the image.

Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries said: ‘Tech has the power to bring people together and make our lives better, but it can also enable heinous behaviour from those who wish to abuse, harm and harass.

‘The forthcoming Online Safety Bill will force tech companies to stop their platforms being used to commit vile acts of cyber-flashing.

‘We are bringing the full weight of the law on individuals who perpetrate this awful behaviour.’