theguardian.com
CPS to Mandate Deletion of Explicit Images in Revenge Porn Cases
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is updating its guidance on "revenge porn" to mandate the deletion of explicit images by perpetrators, following revelations that courts rarely issue such orders, leaving victims vulnerable; the new guidance, published this week, will urge prosecutors to routinely seek deprivation orders.
- What systemic failures contributed to the low number of deprivation orders issued in past revenge porn cases, and how does the new CPS guidance aim to correct these?
- The inadequacy of current procedures is evident in the low number of deprivation orders issued in revenge porn cases. This reflects a systemic issue where prosecutors often fail to request these orders, leaving victims in fear of image resurfacing. The new CPS guidance aims to rectify this by urging prosecutors to routinely seek such orders, impacting future cases.
- What immediate action is the CPS taking to address the insufficient deletion of explicit content in revenge porn cases, and what is its anticipated impact on victims?
- The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will update its guidance on "revenge porn" to ensure perpetrators lose access to explicit photos of victims. Currently, courts rarely order the deletion of such content; of 98 cases, only three resulted in device confiscation and data deletion. This failure leaves victims vulnerable to further abuse and highlights the need for improved practices.
- What broader implications does the inadequacy of current procedures have for victims of image-based sexual abuse beyond the deletion of images, and what further measures are necessary to guarantee their safety and justice?
- The updated CPS guidance, while a positive step, may only partially solve the problem. The effectiveness hinges on consistent implementation and thorough investigation processes, including the confiscation of devices and data from various storage locations (hard drives, cloud storage). Further improvements are needed in investigation and prosecution to ensure justice for victims of image-based sexual abuse.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is largely balanced, presenting both the problem (failure to delete images) and the proposed solution (updated CPS guidance). The inclusion of quotes from campaigners and experts provides multiple perspectives. However, the focus on the CPS's response might overshadow the broader systemic issues, potentially minimizing the scale of the problem.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. Terms like "revenge porn" are used as commonly understood terms within the context of the crime. However, phrases like "deeply disturbing behavior" could be considered slightly loaded, though given the nature of the crime, it's arguably appropriate. More neutral language could be used such as "serious misconduct
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the CPS's updated guidance and its potential impact. While it mentions the need for better investigation processes and broader consideration of storage methods (cloud, hard drives), it doesn't delve into the specifics of these issues. The lack of detail on these crucial aspects could limit the reader's understanding of the systemic problems beyond the CPS's immediate actions. The omission of data on the types of devices involved (phones, computers, etc.) and the success rate of confiscating those devices also limits a comprehensive understanding of the problem.
Gender Bias
The article implicitly focuses on female victims, referencing "women and girls" as those affected. While this accurately reflects the demographics of revenge porn victims, it could benefit from explicitly acknowledging male victims to avoid inadvertently reinforcing gender stereotypes.
Sustainable Development Goals
The updated guidance aims to protect victims of revenge porn, a form of violence against women and girls. By ensuring deletion of explicit photos, it contributes to preventing further harm and promoting women's safety and security. The article highlights that the current system fails to protect victims, leaving them "living in fear". The new guidance directly addresses this issue.