A man in the UK was sentenced to 66 weeks in prison after being convicted of cyberflashing, the act of “sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation”. This is the first conviction of its kind in the UK, following the creation of this new offence as part of the Online Safety Act.
Nicholas Hawkes was sentenced to 66 weeks in prison, a sentence that combined the cyberflashing offence with a breach of a previous court order. He is also now subject to a restraining order for 10 years and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.
Cyberflashing became an offence in England and Wales on 31st January 2024. In February, Hawkes sent solicited photos of his genitals to a 15 year old girl and a woman, which were then screenshotted and shared with the Essex Police.
Making cyberflashing illegal was one of the new criminal offences brought in by the UK’s Online Safety Act. Other new offences include sending flashing images with the intention of causing harm to a person with epilepsy; encouraging or assisting serious self-harm; sharing an intimate photograph or film without consent; and more.
“Cyberflashing is a serious crime which leaves a lasting impact on victims, but all too often it can be dismissed as thoughtless ‘banter’ or a harmless joke”, said Hannah von Dadelzsen, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East of England.
“Just as those who commit indecent exposure in the physical world can expect to face the consequences, so too should offenders who commit their crimes online; hiding behind a screen does not hide you from the law”, she added.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has delivered the first conviction for cyberflashing, but it will not be the last and I urge anyone who has been a victim of this shocking crime – whether via instant messages, dating apps, or by any other means – to come forward, knowing you have the right to lifelong anonymity”, von Dadelzsen highlighted.
Read the full report on this conviction from the Crown Prosecution Service here.
