Local MSP Christina McKelvie gets backing from First Minister
Crimes of so called ‘Revenge Porn’ was in the spotlight at First Minister’s Questions today (8th March), as Christina McKelvie MSP called for clarity regard statistics on prosecutions for those who share indecent images.
The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP, Christina McKelvie, questioned the First Minister and called for a Governmental response to statistics which revealed ‘less than half’ of ‘revenge porn’ incidents are prosecuted.
The question comes as it was revealed that the detection rate of ‘revenge porn’ crimes was 39 per cent since the new Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Act was introduced.
In response to Christina McKelvie, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon added:
“The impact of sharing intimate images can be hugely damaging and there is absolutely no place for that in our society.
“That is why The Scottish Government legislated for a specific offence of sharing, or threatening to share, intimate images without consent, which has a maximum penalty, on conviction, of five years’ imprisonment.
“I am, of course—as Christina McKelvie is—concerned about the statistics that we have seen this week.”
“The message that I took from the statistics this week—Christina McKelvie is absolutely right to raise them—is that, although putting laws in place is important, making sure that they can be used effectively is what matters most.
“I think that the statistics tell us that there is still work to be done on that important issue.”
Responding to the First Minister after the debate, Christina McKelvie MSP stated:
“I’m delighted that the First Minister is in complete agreement with me that there is still much work to be done as we seek justice for the victims of ‘revenge porn’.
“The sharing of indecent images is a cruel, harmful and malicious action that the Scottish Government was correct to legislate against.
“The recent statistics show that whilst we have made progressive changes in legislation, more must be done to ensure the those who wilfully share indecent images are brought to task."