Using your mobile phone or computer to send, take or download nude or sexual images (photos, videos and more) is a crime if the image includes a person under 18. The law says this is publishing, producing or possessing child abuse matieral.
Sexting
‘Sexting’ is distributing an intimate image of a person (over 18 years) to others without their consent and the distribution of the image is contrary to community standards of acceptable conduct. This might include nude, sexual or indecent images using a computer, mobile phone or other electronic device.
Sexting is a crime if you intentionally distribute an intimate image of a person under 18 to others, even if they agree to the sext message being sent. You could also be charged by police with child abuse material offences.
Penalty
The maximum penalty for this offence is two years jail.
Threatening to send a sext message
Threatening to send an intimate image of a person to others if the person believes that you will carry out the threat may also be a criminal offence.
Penalty
The maximum penalty for this offence is one year in jail.
Victorian law about child abuse material
Under Victorian law you could be charged with possessing child abuse material if you have a film, photograph, publication or computer game that describes or depicts a person who is or appears to be under 18:
- engaging in a sexual activity, or
- depicted in an indecent sexual manner or context.
You could also be charged with producing child abuse material if you print a publication, make a film, take a photograph, or create a computer game that shows a person under 18 (or appears to be under 18):
- engaging in a sexual activity, or
- depicted in an indecent sexual manner or context.
Exceptions to child abuse material offences
You cannot be prosecuted for child abuse material offences if you take or store indecent images of yourself.
It is also not a child abuse material offence if you are under 18 years old and:
- no person in the image is more than two years younger than you
- the image does not show an act that is serious criminal offence.
Penalty
The maximum penalty for:
- possessing child abuse material is five years in jail
- producing child abuse material is 10 years in jail.
Commonwealth law about child abuse material
Under Commonwealth law you could be charged with child abuse material offences if you take, send, receive, make available, possess or store sexual or intimate images of someone who is under 18 or who looks or represents someone under 18. Under these laws, there are serious consequences if you get caught.
If you are found guilty
People found guilty of sexting or child abuse material offences can get a criminal record as well as criminal penalties. They can also be stopped from working or volunteering with children, for example, as a teacher or sports coach.
If you are over 18 when the offence is committed you must be registered as a sex offender and follow reporting obligations for between eight years and the rest of your life, depending on the offence.
If you are under 18 at the time of the offence, you may be registered as a sex offender.
Other support
Find out how you can get other support for relationships.
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