The mother of a 15-year-old revenge porn victim has criticised Sussex Police for issuing a caution to a man who admitted targeting five women over several months, including her daughter. The decision not to prosecute comes amid data showing most revenge porn offences do not result in criminal charges.
The suspect, a 36-year-old from Eastbourne, was arrested after complaints from four women, including the teenager, that explicit images had been posted without consent on a pornography forum. He admitted the offences and received a caution for one count of revenge porn and three counts of sending offensive messages. Police are reviewing a fifth complaint recorded as no crime.
The mother said images of her daughter were taken from Facebook, superimposed with sexual imagery, and uploaded to a site where men were invited to comment. The man also made threatening phone calls, including rape threats. She described the caution as 'absolutely disgusting' and expressed concern he may target others.
Figures from 31 police forces show that of 1,160 revenge porn reports between April and December 2015, only 11% resulted in charges, 7% in cautions, and 61% in no action. The Director of Public Prosecutions has issued guidance urging consideration of harassment or child protection charges in such cases.
