Sunday 8th  February saw the launch of a new helpline for victims of revenge porn.  This is something that I am hoping will make a huge difference and will help those who are either in fear or who are victims have someone to talk to.

Since the launch of the new helpline I have been inundated with requests from victims and media, it’s been overwhelming and one that I didn’t anticipate in happening when I set up this support website. It’s a good thing I presume but as there is only one of me this is the time where VOIC needs to become a collective of voices and others would speak out on behalf of VOIC.

Source: GOV.UK  Government Equalities Office The Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP and the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP

The specialist helpline is the latest in a series of measures taken by the government to tackle the growing problem of people sharing intimate images online as a way of seeking revenge or ridiculing individuals.

The helpline, run by South West Grid for Learning Trust, will provide callers with information on legal help available and their right to have the images removed from websites.

The helpline will liaise with law enforcement and media companies to remove content where possible, and offer details of free legal advice. It will also point individuals to additional support services, such as Women’s Aid, Stalking helpline or Relate if needed. Continue reading Launch of New Helpline for Victims →

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A new law has been passed to try and tackle the increase in the use of Non-consensual Pornography aka Revenge Porn. Is this enough?

My view is that it’s a step in the right direction. England have many laws that are not adhered too so what makes this law any different to all the others. I think nothing major will change but there will be an increase in the number of people coming forward which will make the case loads for the already under pressure Police Force immense. I think due to the nature of this new techno crime it will be hard and almost impossible for all cases to be treated fairly as different Police authorities deal with cases as they see fit.

Women that have made direct contact with me during my campaign to stand up and speak out about revenge porn have told me that there cases have not been dealt with or taken as seriously as mine was.

Avon and Somerset Police are an exemplar Police Authority who I must reiterate took very good care of my needs, they were compassionate and acted swiftly. The Trinity Road Police Station staff were very instrumental in making sure my perpetrator was taken to court and I personally thank them for understanding and caring.

I think we need to tackle this new tech crime at grassroots level, talks with educational establishments, schools, colleges and universities need to take place to warn of the dangers of how destructive sharing explicit photos can be. The Police Force throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland need to have first hand training on how to deal with victims and why not use the victims (those who are willing) to speak about their experiences as I am sure this will help.

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Bristol Magistrates Court

A JILTED labourer who could not deal with rejection posted intimate images of his ex-girlfriend online and sent them to her new boyfriend.

Anastasija Mazepa was left devastated and afraid after Artuis Lobacs, 25, stalked her, bombarded her with text messages and emails, and set up a fake Facebook account under her name to post even more images.

Lobacs, of Tyndale Avenue, Fishponds was at Bristol Magistrates’ Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to harassing Ms Mazepa between August 29 and October 12.

Richard Nicholls, prosecuting, said the relationship came to an end at the beginning of 2014 but in August she discovered he had been asking her friends and had visited her mother to ask when she would be returning to Bristol from Latvia.

After Ms Mazepa did eventually return at the end of August he located her on a bus and sat next to her.

“She explained the relationship was over and that she didn’t want him to contact her,” Mr Nicholls said.

“She went shopping but when she returned some hours after he was still waiting for her at the bus stop and followed her onto the bus.

“It was at this point he threatened her that he would send intimate photos of her to her friends and family if they didn’t get back together.

“He said effectively that she had hurt him emotionally and he would do the same to her.”

Ms Mazepa returned to Latvia but while there Lobacs sent some intimate pictures of her to her new boyfriend via Facebook the court heard.

And since the summer Lobacs had bombarded Ms Mazepa with numerous texts and emails generally asking to get back together with her but also saying he would ruin her life and destroy her new relationship.

As a result Ms Mazepa changed both her mobile phone numbers.

On one occasion her mother phoned her to say he was at her gates wanting to see her.

Lobacs continued to contact Ms Mazepa and she started to become more concerned about his conduct.

On one occasion he waited eight hours at a bus stop for her to appear and twice called at her house, knocking on windows and doors causing her to phone the police.

On October 11 she received a friend request from somebody with the same name as her and when going onto the page found semi-naked photos of her taken three years earlier, leaving her feeling sick.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Mazepa said she was scared of leaving her house on her own, struggled to sleep, and was constantly looking over her shoulder because she was terrified what he would do next.

Defending, Angela Thornton said: “He was in love with somebody. That it ended was her choice and he struggled to come to terms with that. He regrets bitterly what occurred.”

Magistrates told Lobacs: “This was nasty, vindictive behaviour that was completely unnecessary and put a young lady in fear.”

Lobacs was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours unpaid work and a three-month tagged curfew between 9pm and 6am.

An indefinite restraining order was also put in place and he must pay Ms Mazepa £100 compensation.

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