By Jacqueline Carpenter From RCIPS

Police have received multiple reports regarding the circulation of indecent photos of residents on island via an Instagram profile since late last week. The host of the user name was purportedly posting pictures of young women as well as demeaning comments.  The profile was taken down around the time the complaints were made. It is alleged that some of the pictures were photos of girls under the age of 18, however, it is understood that these photos were taken with the consent of or even by the girls themselves, but were never intended to be shared publicly.

The RCIPS would like to remind the public that the possession and/or circulation of indecent photographs are crimes and will be investigated. However, just as importantly, the RCIPS would also like to caution young people about the potential consequences of sharing photos and personal information via social media.

“We do not want to criminalize young people, but educate them about the potential long-term consequences of taking and sharing these kinds of photos,” said Detective Inspector Kevin Ashworth, Co-Supervisor of the MASH. “Images that are shared via any social media platform can resurface later and cause embarrassment or worse. We also want them to understand that even just sharing personal photos of this nature with one other person through their phones can be an offence, in addition to publicizing or distributing them.”

Anyone with information about these posts is encouraged to call the MASH or FSU at 814-6000.  Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via our Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777 or via the Miami-based call centre of Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS), or online at the link: https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=681.

For informational purposes regarding the laws that govern such indecent publications, please see below:

Under the Penal Code (2107 Revision) sections 228A:

A person who –

(a) has in his possession an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child;

(b) takes, permits to be taken or makes an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child; or

(c) distributes or shows an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child,

commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for fifteen years.

Under the Penal Code (2107 Revision) section 157:

(a)    for the purpose of or by way of trade or for the purpose of distribution or public exhibition, makes, produces or has in his possession any one or more obscene writings, drawings, prints, paintings, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, cinematograph films, discs, tapes or other obscene objects or any other object tending to corrupt morals;

commits an offence and is liable to a fine of two hundred dollars and to imprisonment for three months.

Under the Information and Communication Technology Authority Law (2016 Revision) section 90

(1)    A person who knowingly uses an ICT network or ICT service to defraud, abuse, annoy, threaten or harass any other person commits an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of ten thousand dollars and to imprisonment for one year, or, on conviction on indictment, to a fine of twenty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for two years.

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IMAGE: Instagram