The NFL 2014-15 season won’t be known for great games, but numerous scandals and bad behavior off the field. This week, a former New York Jet will face revenge porn charges in court.
Former NY Jets linebacker Jermaine Cunningham faces prosecution on revenge porn charges in New Jersey. New Jersey is one of 17 states that has strict laws against such behavior. In December 2014, Cunningham was arrested for allegedly broadcasting pictures of a nude woman without the woman’s approval. This followed a domestic dispute in which 911 was called. Cunningham is also facing illegal gun possession charges. Cunningham’s case comes in a middle of a movement to crack down on revenge porn: posting nude or sexual based photos online, without the victim’s knowledge or consent with malicious intent. A couple months ago, I blogged about a case in California in which someone running a revenge porn ring was successfully prosecuted. Victims’ advocates, like U Miami law professor Mary Ann Franks, say,??Your most private, intimate moment (is) turned into entertainment for thousands, for millions of people.? But civil liberties groups say anti-revenge porn laws need to be more specific to protect from overreaching legislation and legal witch hunts. While that debate continues, Cunningham faces a $15,000 fine and three years in jail if convicted.
I can understand both sides, and lessons should be learned across the board. Please be careful of taking photos, who takes these photos, and what you put online. That person may be your friend in that moment but can also be the person that hurts you for life. I’ve heard testimonies from revenge porn victims and the stigmas that are placed upon them. It’s hard for them to get a job, a mate, housing, credit, and they’re often the subject of judgement and ridicule…because of what someone else did to them. Suspects and their lawyers can hide behind the Constitution all they want. But with freedom comes responsibility. I don’t know if Cunningham is guilty or not. I believe in innocent until proven guilty, ?but can’t there be a better way to solve domestic issues? As this progresses, he has the dubious position as the first celebrity prosecuted for revenge porn. Will he be the last?