“Sending undesirable Dick-Pics is a border crossing, sexual harassment and a form of abuse of power. This law finally becomes punishable!”, SPÖ justice spokeswoman Selma Yildirim welcomes the amendment to criminal law, which is to be decided today at the National Council meeting. The SPÖ justice spokeswoman has been committed to criminal liability for over three years. “Under the previous government, the application in the National Council was always postponed, it remained with announcements,” recalls Yildirim. ****
“Thanks to the government that the law is now being implemented so quickly. In Austria, those affected also have the opportunity to defend themselves effectively against this form of sexual harassment in the digital world,” emphasizes Yildirim. “Hopefully the trivialization and classification as a cavalier offense end with the criminal liability.” The undesirable, deliberate sending of recordings of human genitals via cell phones or computers becomes punishable.
“Much of the cases never gets public. Nevertheless, the numbers of reports have risen enormously in recent years. Girls in particular are often affected,” says Yildirim. “Most of the men who believe that they have to spread these kinds of photos without being asked. Often the pictures follow the request for sexual intercourse. This is not fun, neither in the professional nor in the private environment. This is a form of sexual violence-and there is still much too much of this in Austria. With this law, we clearly make it clear: Such behavior is not accepted and in the future,” emphasizes the SPÖ deputy. **** (conclusion) Ah/LW
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