Robert Kardashian published intimate photos of his ex-girlfriend Blac Chyna today. The photos were accompanied by a slew of Twitter and Instagram posts accusing her of infidelity, drug use, and other disparaging allegations. We aren’t fooled by his explanations to justify the outrageous assault on Chyna’s sexual privacy. He has committed a serious violation and faces repercussions should she seek justice in court.
With revenge porn, the crime is the proof.
This is a classic non-consensual porn case featuring a jilted, unstable ex who is bent on destroying his former partner’s life through a vengeful act. He posted the images knowing that the exposure and spread will negatively impact her financially and emotionally. Revenge porn victims describe feeling paranoia, anxiety, and loss of control over your sexual privacy knowing that their private content is out there for all to see.
The impact of this leak will follow her for the rest of her life.
The fact that he deleted the photos is a moot point. He has 9 million followers on his Instagram and 7 million on Twitter. Rob is the type of public figure whose posts will be screengrabbed seconds after going up. Those images have probably already shown up on sites dedicated to revenge porn and porn sites. This social media influence + his family’s profile makes these attacks exponentially worse and will have an effect on her future.
In California, victims have options.
Fortunately for the victim, California has strong non-consensual pornography laws, criminal and civil. Yes, Robert Kardashian could be sent to jail for his actions. It is a misdemeanor punishable up to 6 months in prison and/or a monetary fine. Chyna can also sue her ex for damages and obtain a restraining order through California’s civil courts. This civil option is a powerful avenue for pursuing justice in these cases. Exploiting her sexual privacy and rights in order to get revenge is not only not ok, it is illegal and unjust.
There have been pivotal civil cases.
Cases similar to Blac Chyna’s have settled for millions. In 2015, a jury ordered rapper 50 Cent to pay Lastonia Leviston $7 million for uploading a sex tape of her and her husband to his social media. In May, an Arizona jury awarded a married couple $8.9 million for enduring a “non-stop campaign” of cyber harassment. So, Blac Chyna can take matters into her own hands no matter what law enforcement does.