Wake County victim hopes 'revenge porn' bill becomes law

House Bill 792 would create a new crime of "revenge postings," covering the willful and malicious disclosure of private images created within the context of a personal relationship without the other party's consent.

Kim Langlois said soon after she got a protective order against her ex-boyfriend in August, she became a victim of revenge porn.

"It's devastating. It's embarrassing," she said. "You think you're with someone you can trust, in the privacy of your own home and then you find out that it is not the case."

Langlois said her ex-boyfriend sent the racy pictures to her family and her job.

"I started to question my own morals," she said. "How could I have done that? I'm a mom. I'm a professional woman."

Langlois said she went to authorities, but was shocked to learn her ex-boyfriend did not break the law since she consented to the photos, and was of age.

"I didn't know what was going to come of the next day," she said. "There really needs to be some kind of repercussions because it can really, really ruin someone's reputation."

The bill also gives the "depicted person" the right to sue for up to $10,000 in damages, plus punitive damages and attorneys' fees. It has a four-year statute of limitations and would take effect Dec. 1.

The measure passed on an unanimous vote. If it passes its final Senate vote Monday, it heads back to the House for concurrence in the Senate's changes.