Sexting, cyber-bullying penalty bill introduced

A state lawmaker introduced a bill that seeks to modify the penal code in order to punish individuals who share images, audio or a combination of both without permission from the person in those images.

Assemblywoman Trinidad Vaca, a Mexicali member of the National Action Party, introduced the bill that would give violators from six months to three years in prison if convicted.

The penalties would increase by half if violators are relatives of victims, and in the case of parents, they would lose custody.

Public servants who would violate the proposed law would lose their jobs.

Vaca, who chairs the Human Rights Commission in the Legislature, said the use of smartphones has also lead to a higher exchange of video, pictures and audio that, at the same time, has caused issues like cyber-bullying and sexting.

“We have seen a significant increase in sharing intimate images affecting victims,” she said. “It is necessary to regulate this problem that brings psychological consequences to victims.”