Distributing “intimate images” without the photo subject’s consent is now officially illegal according to a new article under the U.S. Navy Regulations, the lawful orders for Marines and Navy personnel.
While the new article, Article 1168, bans revenge porn distribution, a violation of the article requires that there be intent to humiliate, harass, or threaten that person, or a reckless disregard that the person would face humiliation, harassment, or threats, BuzzFeed News reported. Additionally, the article adds the potential to be charged in violation of Article 92, “Failure to obey order or regulation.” Violators of the new article face a range of consequences, from administrative actions to criminal punishment.
The announcement of the regulation update—effective immediately—came Tuesday, one month after more than 30,000 of members of the private Facebook page Marines United were found sharing and accessing photos of nude and clothed female Marines, some take without knowledge of the women photographed. Disseminators were also sharing photos on a private Google Drive folder.
The page was allegedly shut down but faced backlash from members, who continued to share more revenge porn and post images on porn websites, including naked images of male Marines.
According to military officials, an investigation revealed the scandal spanned more than 150 websites with 75,000 images of male and female service members. The Marine Corps has punished two Marines, while another 56 suspects have been uncovered. Of those 56, only 27 were identified as potentially committing felonies—15 active-duty service members and 12 civilians.
“The addition…serves to underscore leadership’s commitment to eliminating degrading behaviors that erode trust and weaken the Navy and Marine Corps Team,” Rear Admiral Dawn Cutler told BuzzFeed News. “It provides commanders another tool to maintain good order and discipline by holding sailors and Marines accountable for inappropriate conduct in the nonconsensual sharing of intimate imagery… Each case of alleged misconduct will be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.”
H/T BuzzFeed News
