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Intimate image abuse laws in the UK

  1. Information & advice
  2. About intimate image abuse
  3. Intimate image abuse laws

England and Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Republic of Ireland

England and Wales 

Private sexual content shared without consent with intent to cause distress

Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015

Threats to share private sexual images

Domestic Abuse Act (2021)

Voyeurism and Upskirting

Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019

Blackmail

Theft Act (1968)

Deepfakes

No current law.

Scotland

Private sexual content shared without consent with intent to cause distress

Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016.

Threats to share private sexual images

Abusive Behaviour and sexual harm Act (Scotland) 2016

Voyeurism and Upskirting

Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009

Blackmail

Covered by Scottish common law.

Deepfakes

Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016

Northern Ireland

Private sexual content shared without consent with intent to cause distress

Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

Threats to share private sexual images

No current law.

Voyeurism and Upskirting

The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

Blackmail

Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969

Deepfakes

No current law.

Republic of Ireland

Private sexual content shared without consent with intent to cause distress

Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act (2020)

Threats to share private sexual images

Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act (2020)

Voyeurism

Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act (2020)

Blackmail

Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994

Deepfakes

No current law.

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