What is Revenge Porn? A Short Explainer
Blac Chyna has gotten a temporary restraining order against ex Rob Kardashian after a public argument in which he posted sexually explicit photos of her on social media — photos that her lawyer calls “revenge porn.”
According to CNN, in Chyna’s petition against Rob, she claimed that he pushed her to the ground during an argument regarding her and her first child’s father. Lisa Bloom, Chyna’s attorney, said that her client was awarded everything she asked for in the petition.
“As we have said all along, revenge porn is a form of domestic abuse,” Bloom told CNN. “It is also a crime in California and 38 other states.”
Although Kardashian isn’t being charged with creating revenge porn, Bloom said that’s exactly the description for the images he posted to publicly belittle his ex.
So what exactly is revenge porn?
It’s a crime that 39 states have identified in recent years in response to people posting sexually explicit photos of exes or former sex partners in order to embarrass them.
It was added to California law four years ago and is properly referred to as nonconsensual pornography. It carries a sentence of up to 6 months in jail and is classified as a misdemeanor in California. In other states, depending on the circumstances, the violation can either be a misdemeanor or a felony.
Also Read: Blac Chyna Accuses Rob Kardashian of Beating Her After His Graphic Instagram Cheating Accusations
The first time someone was convicted of violating the revenge porn law in California was in 2014 — the perpetrator ended up being sentenced to one year in jail and three months probation. In 2016, an Oregon man was convicted of violating the revenge porn law and was sentenced to six months in jail and 5 years probation.
In legal terms, California Penal Code 647(j)(4) states:
“A person who intentionally distributes the image of the intimate body part or parts of another identifiable person, or an image of the person depicted engaged in an act of sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, sexual penetration, or an image of masturbation by the person depicted or in which the person depicted participates, under circumstances in which the persons agree or understand that the image shall remain private, the person distributing the image knows or should know that distribution of the image will cause serious emotional distress, and the person depicted suffers that distress.”
Kardashian’s lawyer, Robert Shapiro, apologized on his client’s behalf Monday.
“I personally on Mr. Kardashian’s behalf apologized and offered our regrets for what has taken place in the past couple of days. and now we move forward to do one thing and one thing only: Whatever’s in the best interest of this child,” he said.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Blac Chyna to Rob Kardashian: 'If You Can't Respect Me, You Have to Respect the Law' (Video)
Blac Chyna to Seek Restraining Order Against Rob Kardashian
Blac Chyna Accuses Rob Kardashian of Beating Her After His Graphic Instagram Cheating Accusations