California 'revenge porn' law allows victims more time to report abuse

Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A California bill allowing victims of "revenge porn" more time to report abuse became law this week.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 23 on Thursday, providing more time for victims of "revenge porn" to seek justice.

"Revenge porn" is when someone posts online photos or videos taken over the course of a relationship. The victim may have consented to the photos or videos being taken but not for distribution, and they are posted online to shame or harass the person.

The law extends the statute of limitations for invasion of privacy from one year when content is posted to one year after the victim discovers it.

The bill was authored by Senator Susan Rubio and sponsored by the Alameda County District Attorney's office.

"Perpetrators of domestic violence sometimes use the release of private, intimate images as another tool of coercive control," Rubio told KRON 4. "It's an attempt to shame and intimidate the victim, with the plan to provoke long-lasting trauma in their personal and professional lives.