SALEM, Ore. — Oregon state senators voted unanimously Thursday to outlaw so-called revenge porn, when jilted ex-lovers distribute intimate photos that were shared consensually during a romantic relationship.
The measure, proposed by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, would make first-time postings a misdemeanor and subsequent uploads a felony. The bill was tailored to only include photos that were posted without the victim’s consent and with the intent to harm, shame or cause humiliation.
Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, said the bill wouldn’t outlaw sharing intimate photos of significant others with friends outside the relationship.
The bill now heads to the House for consideration.
The narrow scope of the measure is intended to shield Oregon from being sued on constitutional grounds for violating free speech rights. In November, a federal judge put Arizona’s law criminalizing revenge porn on hold after the American Civil Liberties Union sued.
