SUPPORT RIHANNA’S LAW

SIGN PETITION NOW

Our aim is to enact RIHANNA’S LAW which would make leaking, distributing and publishing private law enforcement crime photos, (such as the one leaked of Rihanna,) illegal whether there was money exchanged or not. The current law, “Mel’s Law” requires that money changes hands in order for the person distributing the photo to be in violation of the law, furthermore the current law has no provisions for the prosecution of those who publish such photos or videos, such as Harvey Levin and TMZ. As it stands, anyone can leak private victim photos and get away with it, as long as no one can prove they received money, which usually is unprovable because tabloids pay cash to third parties. In addition, entities such as TMZ who pay for these photos and publish them are able to do it, and profit from it, with no legal repercussions whatsoever. The publication of Rihanna’s police victim photo was inexcusable and will likely help the alleged attacker’s case. The person who distributed it is in the clear unless the LAPD can find evidence the leaker received money for the photo. Regardless of all that, Harvey Levin and TMZ are not in violation of any law even if it is proven they paid for the photo. All involved need to be prosecuted in cases like this and with the new proposed law, all would be in violation of that law for distributing the photo whether there was exchange of money involved or not.

The main goal is to protect victim’s rights. If a private crime photo is distributed the receipt of money for that act is irrelevant and does not diminish the detrimental effect such public distribution of private crime photos, could have on the victim, the case itself, other victims of similar crimes etc. Just because the person who leaked it may have done it for example, because they were disgruntled or vindictive or even, perhaps, to help the defense, and not for money, per se, should not make it legal. Granted the receipt of money for the leak of such a photo does indeed compound and exacerbate the situation, but it should not be the deciding factor that makes it a crime or not a crime. Under the current law, if the snitch did not receive money, what they did is not considered a crime. People could leak such photos for many reasons and the reason is inconsequential to the fact that it should be illegal to leak and distribute private crime victim photos and video irrespective of the exchange of money. It would be like if killing someone was only a crime if you were paid to do it. So if you did it just because you were mad at that person, or if no one could trace that you got paid to do it, you were in the clear. It does not make sense and is not sufficiently protecting victims.

SIGN PETITION NOW

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post