Nassau County Executive Signs Bill Outlawing ‘Revenge Porn’

By Brianna Mikes

 

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran on Thursday signed a law banning the non-consensual distribution of intimate photographs.

This law was originally proposed by Legislators Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) and Debra Mulé, and it was unanimously accepted by the Nassau County Legislature on Feb. 25. It makes the act commonly known as “revenge porn” a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. It also empowers victims to seek civil damages.

“[We are] sending a message to these perpetrators that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in Nassau County and has serious consequences,” said Drucker at the signing.

“It is also very important to show our residents that our government can and will work together in a bipartisan manner when it is necessary to protect our citizens. This is clear by the very fact that this bill passed the legislature by a 19 to 0 vote.”

“In an era of ubiquitous social media platforms and permanence on the internet, revenge porn has arisen as a deeply troubling form of harassment, intimidation, and bullying that can cause a lifetime of humiliation,” Curran said. “I fully support this bill and thank Legislators Drucker and Mulé for recognizing the need to provide protection for potential victims and professional ramifications of this malicious practice.”

Mulé said, “[I’d like to] thank County Executive Curran for supporting legislation that immediately protects Nassau County residents.”

Months of research and outreach kick-started a legislative process that began in late January. The measure rapidly gained strong support from Nassau County’s law enforcement leaders, victim advocates and individuals who had been impacted by “revenge porn.”

“This bill would not have been possible without the support and help of Madeline Singas, our District Attorney,” added Drucker. “She has been wonderful and a very passionate supporter of this legislation for a very long time. We are grateful for her support.”

“What a great day for Nassau County,” Singas said. “This is an issue that affects so many people.”

Singas added, “On the day-in and day-out at the district attorney’s office, we have victims coming forward, saying that ‘Someone is threatening to put my pictures out there’ or ‘I have seen my pictures, and they’ve been sent to my employer’ . . . And, I have to tell you it has been some of the most frustrating conversations that I’ve had in my career where I’ve had to say, ‘There’s not so much we can do about it.’ And, today, because of these legislators, because of the vision of Nassau County, there is something that we can do about it, and I’m proud to stand here . . .”