NEW guidelines have been introduced today on criminal sentences for those who share intimate pictures of people.

While they will not immediately have a significant effect on the lengths of sentencing, the Sentencing Council said the new guidelines were the first to have been produced for the offences of disclosing private sexual images, often known as revenge porn, which became a crime in 2015.

In a statement, the Sentencing Council said: “It is a particularly unpleasant and intrusive offence. Any offence of this type can cause very serious distress to the victim.

“While the offence always involves the intention to cause distress, the guidelines identify some of the factors that make these offences particularly serious. This includes aiming to maximise distress by for example sending images to a victim’s family, or significant planning, such as setting up fake social media profiles to post the images, and inviting comment and contact, which could result in abuse and sexualised contact from strangers.”

The guidelines - which are now open to public consultation - also cover stalking, harassment, and controlling or coercive behaviour, all of which Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, has previously campaigned against.

Mrs Mulligan welcomed the guidelines, but felt they could go further, saying: “By and large these guidelines are acceptable, but I do take issue with the lesser sentences. There is an implication that there can be minimal harm felt as a victim of these crimes, but I do not think such a thing exists. Having your private sexual photos shared, or your partner control your behaviour, will always be serious, and I will be suggesting to the Council that some of their minimum sentences are bolstered.

“Sentencing is one of the issues we need to get right, but possibly more important is giving victims the confidence to come forward in the first place, knowing they will be supported. Our Supporting Victims service provides just thatand I would encourage anyone suffering any of these crimes to get in touch with them.”

Contact Supporting Victims on 01609 643100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm.