Crackdown urged on revenge porn 'upskirting' craze
New revenge porn laws should be extended to cover the cruel craze of "upskirting", experts have said.
The offence consists of taking pictures up women's skirts in public places and then distributing them without their consent.
The new law was enacted on April 13 after months of campaigning from revenge porn victims, making the practice illegal and offering sentences of up to two years in jail for perpetrators.
But at the UK's first seminar on revenge porn today, victims, activists and legal experts said the legislation needed to be extended to cover other forms of sexual offending.
Technology companies were also urged to clamp down on those who spread revenge porn, described as sexually or explicitly images shared without the consent of the victim.
Clare McGlynn, professor in law at Durham University, said:
Some cases of upskirting have been brought before the courts but only when they fall under other existing laws, such as voyeurism.
Professor McGlynn said:
Campaigners have warned that revenge porn could become as prevalent in society as other forms of abuse against women.
Ann Olivarius, senior partner at London-based law firm McAllister Olivarius which represents victims of revenge porn, said the new law was a "wonderful first step" but required tightening.