Sending unsolicited penis photos is grounds for arrest in the UK

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A man admitted sending pornographic images to a 15-year-old girl and another woman. WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube Alessandro Feitosa Jr/g1 A man was convicted of pedophilia after sending a photo of his erect penis to a 15-year-old girl. He became the first person arrested for cyberflashing in England and Wales. The sex offender identified as Nicholas Hawkes, 39, from the English town of Basildon in Essex, also sent unsolicited photos to a woman. The woman took screenshots of the WhatsApp image sent on February 9 and reported it to the police the same day. Hawkes, who admitted both charges, has been jailed for just over 15 months. The crime he committed was classified in accordance with the Online Safety Law, which came into force on January 31 in England. Announcing the sentence, Judge Samantha Leigh said Hawkes was “disturbed” and had a “distorted view of himself and his sexuality”. Cyberflashing is an act that typically involves an offender sending an unsolicited explicit image to people through an online platform such as messaging apps and social media. Cell phones can be an ally to discover hidden cameras in rooms; see how to protect yourself ‘Dangerous individual’ Hawkes was already registered as a sexual offender after being reported last year for exposure and sexual activity with a girl under 16 years of age. He has now been sentenced to 66 weeks in prison for two offenses of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause shock, distress or humiliation, and for breaching previous court orders. Hawkes must serve a 10-year restraining order and will be subject to a 15-year sexual harm prevention order, which could, for example, limit his access to the internet. James Gray, of Essex Police, said the defendant had “proven to be a dangerous individual”. “Criminals may think that by offending online they are less likely to be caught, but that is not the case,” he added. Hannah von Dadelszen, deputy chief prosecutor for the East of England, praised the speed of justice in the case and said the new legislation was a “really important” tool for prosecutors. “Cyberflashing is a serious crime that leaves a lasting impact on victims, but can often be dismissed as a thoughtless ‘prank’ or a harmless joke.” “Just as those who commit indecent exposure in the physical world can expect to face consequences, so can offenders who commit their crimes online; hiding behind a screen does not hide you from the law.” How to report posts on Instagram, TikTok and Kwai and other social networks Kate’s photo: click and see details that raised suspicion about the image “Cyberflashing is a degrading and distressing crime that cannot be tolerated or normalized,” said the secretary of Justice, Alex Chalk. “We have changed the law so that those who commit these vile acts spend time behind bars, and today’s sentence sends a clear message that such behavior will have serious consequences.” Professor Clare McGlynn, author of Cyber-flashing: Recognizing Harms, Reforming Laws, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that she feared loopholes remained in the law. She said it was a “difficult threshold” for prosecutors to prove whether a defendant intended to cause shock, distress or humiliation. “They say it was a form of prank or that they were just doing it for a laugh and meant no harm,” said McGlynn, of Durham University. “Even if we know that’s not the case, we have to prove intent to cause suffering.” Actress, presenter and comedian Emily Atack Little Gem Productions/BBC TikTok under pressure: why the network arouses distrust from politicians in the US The issue of cyberflashing was explored in a BBC Two documentary last year called Emily Atack: Asking for It? Atack, the actress, presenter and activist shared her personal experience of cyberflashing and online harassment. Speaking to the Today programme, Atack said she was “suffering in silence” after receiving “thousands and thousands” of unsolicited images online. “I was getting messages from different men, different images, videos — anything you can imagine,” the 34-year-old said. “I found that it was really destroying who I was as a person and questioning my entire being, everything I was as a woman.” “These behaviors have been normalized since the beginning of time and this is something we really need to look at.” READ ALSO: Was there a nude leak? Find out how to gather evidence, report it and request removal from the internet ‘He wanted to annihilate me alive’: find out what revenge pornography is and learn about victims’ stories STALKING: find out when internet stalking becomes a crime Was there a nude leak? Practice is a crime; find out how to report

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