Long jail sentences recommended for revenge porn and cyber stalking
Cyber stalking and revenge porn could carry jail sentences of up to seven years under tough new laws.
The Law Reform Commission has recommended cracking down on cyber crime with strict sentences, including for posting of fake social media profiles.
Revenge porn - posting intimate images online without consent - and cyber stalking are not currently considered an offence in Ireland. Revenge porn is an offence in England, Wales and the US.
They particularly want to end so-called intentional victim-shaming.
Director of the National Women's Council of Ireland Orla O'Connor, said the recommendations are a positive move.
She said: "It's really shifting the responsibility away from the victim… (Blaming the victim) is a form of abuse and control."
On Morning Ireland today, barrister and cyber crime expert Pauline Walley said the recommendation for a digital commissioner was significant. The commissioner would be empowered to take web and social media sites to court if they fail to take down harmful material.
Ms Whalley said victims should not have to go to lawyers or court at all and that there "should be a clear take-down trail."
