Is revenge porn illegal in RoI... and why do people do it?

Revenge porn, or the non-consensual sharing of explicit or intimate images, is illegal in the Republic of Ireland and considered a criminal offense under Irish law. The relevant legislation that addresses this issue is the Harassment, Harmful Communications, and Related Offenses Act 2020. This act criminalizes various forms of harmful online behavior, including the distribution of intimate images without consent.

The law provides for penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for those found guilty of engaging in revenge porn or related offenses. Revenge porn is a harmful and unethical act that can lead to severe consequences for the victim and the perpetrator. Victims often experience significant emotional distress and long-term psychological harm as a result. It is essential to combat such behavior and educate individuals about the consequences and ethical considerations surrounding the sharing of explicit content without consent.

But why do some people engage in this abusive and damaging behaviour? We take a look at some of the psychological underpinings of this activity...

Control and Manipulation: One primary motivation for sharing revenge porn is a desire to exert control over the victim. The perpetrator may use the explicit content as a means of manipulating and emotionally harming the individual.

Anger and Resentment: Feelings of anger, resentment, or a desire for revenge against a former partner can drive individuals to engage in this behavior as a way to retaliate for perceived wrongs or grievances.

Jealousy and Possessiveness: Some individuals may share revenge porn out of jealousy or possessiveness. They may struggle with the end of a relationship and want to harm their ex-partner's current or future relationships.

Narcissism: Narcissistic individuals may seek to boost their own ego or self-esteem by exploiting their ex-partner's vulnerability. This can involve a desire for public humiliation or vindictive satisfaction.

Power and Domination: Sharing revenge porn can provide a sense of power and domination over the victim. This can be particularly true when there is a history of power imbalances or abusive dynamics in the relationship.

Lack of Empathy: Some individuals may lack empathy and remorse for the emotional distress and harm they cause to the victim. This absence of empathy can make it easier for them to engage in this harmful behavior.

Peer Pressure or Social Norms: In some cases, individuals may share revenge porn due to peer pressure or the influence of social norms within their social circles. They may believe that such behavior is acceptable or even expected.

Desire for Attention or Notoriety: Some individuals may share explicit content to gain attention, notoriety, or notoriety within certain online communities or social circles.

Impulsivity: Impulsive behavior can lead some individuals to share revenge porn without fully considering the consequences or the harm it will cause.

Lack of Awareness of Consequences: Some may not fully understand or appreciate the legal and social consequences of sharing revenge porn, or they may underestimate the emotional trauma it inflicts on the victim.