Revenge porn: 80 people aged from teens to 60s report they are victims

A new law was introduced in England and Wales over sharing sexually explicit images without the subject's consent in April last year.

Of 80 reported cases since the new law was introduced in April last year, 70 of the victims were women.

More than half the total number of complaints involved victims in their 20s, with 13 teenagers also targeted. The oldest victim was in their 60s.

The figures, which were released following a Freedom of Information request, also revealed only 15 suspects were charged following the 80 complaints. Six others received a caution.

Sarah Green, acting director at the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said the introduction of the law had been an important step forward.

She said: "This kind of behaviour is extremely abusive – it is intended to hurt and to abuse and to harm."

Revenge porn is defined by the Government as the sharing of private, sexual material, either photos or videos, of another person without their consent and with the purpose of causing embarrassment or distress.

The images are sometimes accompanied by personal information about the subject, including their full name, address and links to their social media profiles.

Under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act those found guilty of the crime can face a sentence of up to two years in prison.

Figures released by West Midlands Police at the end of 2015 revealed around 40 percent of offences were taking place on Facebook.

Of 52 cases reported at that time, Facebook was where the highest number of the sexual images had been posted, with 19 incidents. Instagram has been involved in four of the attacks and Whatsapp three.

Ms Green said despite the new law, more needed to be done, including giving alleged victims anonymity as already happens for other sexual offences.

She added: "We would say the one thing still missing is anonymity for the victims.

"If someone knows that by reporting a case of revenge porn they could get attention, which could also come from the media, it may well put them off reporting it.

"It is the same debate we had about rape victims in the 1980s."

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police, said: "It is clear that we have a duty of care to address concerns of anyone who feel they have been the victims of online abuse especially involving the distribution of inappropriate or sexual content without permission.

"Each complaint will be dealt with on its merits, for example the distribution of indecent images of children will be dealt with by a specialist team and will be recorded and investigated fully."