Government Senator urges victims of revenge porn to report matter to police

Government Senator Kamina Johnson Smith is calling on young victims of revenge porn to report it and not give power to perpetrators.

She made the appeal during debate on the cyber crimes amendment act in the upper house this morning.

She noted that the amendment seeks to strengthen the national cyber crime framework by increasing penalties to up to 20 years for targeting minors.

The act, which was passed in the lower house in February, also aims to enhance law enforcement against digital fraud and artificial intelligence enabled threats.

Noting that the act makes revenge porn an offence, Senator Johnson Smith said anyone, especially a young person, who has fallen victim, should seek help from someone they trust in getting the report to the police.

She stressed that cops are being trained to be sensitive about these matters.