‘Sexting’ damages case sets legal precedent as woman receives £25,000 compensation
'It’s vital that there are serious punishments that deter offenders from committing these crimes against young people'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A judge has awarded damages for “sexting” for the first time, setting a new legal precedent.
The victim, now in her twenties, was awarded £25,000.
She sued for harm caused after she was encouraged to text sexually-explicit images of herself to a teacher when she was a teenager, the BBC reported.
William Whillock, the former vice-principal of The New School in West Heath, Kent, received a three-year community sentence after he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of a female teenage pupil. But the 57-year-old denied encouraging the victim to send indecent photos.
The precedent means that a claim for compensation can be brought by anyone who has suffered psychological harm as a result of sending or receiving a sexually-explicit message or image.
Lawyer David McClenaghan, who specialises in child abuse cases said it was a “ground-breaking law”.
The NSPCC said: “It’s vital that there are serious punishments that deter offenders from committing these crimes against young people.”
But the charity warned there was a danger young people could use it “as a way to get cash by suing one another”.
Speaking to the BBC, the victim said: “I used to feel that I was pressurised into sending them. I used to think to myself, just forget about it, it’s nothing.”
“Whenever I have a relationship it’s always stuck in my head. I felt forced into it.”
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments