Calls for Northern Ireland revenge porn law to be introduced

People who share sexually explicit images without consent could be jailed for up to two years.

A new law for England and Wales means revenge porn is a criminal offence so it is illegal to post or share private sexual pictures to hurt another individual.

It includes social networks and sending pictures via text.

The law hasn't changed in Northern Ireland, but campaigners have told Newsbeat that it needs to change.

A consultation on the law is taking place in Scotland.

The new law is aimed at helping people like 37-year-old Folami Prehaye from Bristol, whose ex-boyfriend posted intimate pictures of her online after they broke up.

She told Newsbeat: "I was mortified and very angry. He decided to hurt me and publicly shame me by sharing those photos. And he also put them on porn sites."

One hundred and forty-nine people came forward as victims of revenge porn between 2011-2014, according to eight police forces in England and Wales.

Six cases led to cautions or charges under the old law.

Folami supports the change in the law for England and Wales, but says more people need to be campaigning for a change in Northern Ireland.

One person talking about it in Northern Ireland is Wayne Denner, who speaks to students in schools about how to stay safe online and protect your reputation.

He said: "The main concern for me is that this is happening, and students are coming up to me and talking about having inappropriate photos on devices.

"I would like a change in the law, there needs to be protection for victims and there needs to be repercussions for offenders."

The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland has told Newsbeat it's considering making revenge porn an offence, but any change is unlikely to come soon.

Julie Tierney is a family lawyer at Edwards and Co. Solicitors in Belfast and says she is dealing with increasing cases of revenge porn.

"A change in the law in Northern Ireland would help," she said. "Any sort of protection for victims being heightened in any shape or form would definitely be welcomed."

Scotland is moving closer to making sharing sexually explicit images without consent illegal.

A Scottish government spokesperson told Newsbeat a consultation is taking to place to decide if the law should be change.

People there have until the 19 June to have their say.

There are already some laws that can be used to prosecute offenders, but Polly Neate from Women's Aid believes it's important that there's a specific law.

She said: "Using existing laws basically means a failure to recognise the unique issues that surround revenge porn, so it does need its own laws and we would like to see Northern Ireland take action on this as soon as possible."

Help on relationships is available at BBC Advice

Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter, BBCNewsbeat on Instagram and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube

Revenge porn video - Declan