Revenge porn victim asks lawmakers for tougher penalties

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Whether stolen from a computer or kept by a vengeful ex-partner, intimate pictures can be a devastating weapon.
 
"There was a tremendous amount of shame and broken relationships." said Kim, who withheld her last name from the Senate Law and Justice Committee which is considering legislation to let victims of revenge porn recover at least $10,000 in civil penalties from their tormentors.
 
Her tormentor was Jeremy Walters He was sentenced to a year in jail for stealing the images when he worked on Kim's computer. 
 
"I endorse the Bill 5502 because I also agree it's a deterrent, but it doesn't go far enough," Kim told the senators.
 
That's because the bill doesn't make revenge porn itself a crime--which is what Kim and the prosecutor who convicted Stevens want.
 
"Specifically targeting this type of activity really will send the message out not only to the perpetrators to not do it, but to law enforcement to guide them in the follow up investigation," said King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Gary Ernsdorff. He says lawmakers have been receptive to his and "Kim's" request to make revenge porn a crime.
 
Kim rejects any criticism about having the intimate images in the first place.
 
"Yes, people have played the blame, the victim game, and it's amazing that that still happens."

KIRO