Latest news with #Coco'sLaw
The Journal
5 days ago
- The Journal
Public urged not to share images after four people fall victim to 'sextortion' last weekend
THE PSNI HAS issued a major warning after four people were targeted by online sexual blackmail in one day last weekend. Commonly known as 'sextortion', the blackmail involved threats made by an anonymous individual online to share a person's sexual images, clips or information. The nature of the sextortion can be predatory where the victim is coerced into sending more intimate pictures under the threat of sharing existing ones, or financial where the perpetrator threatens to share the images of the victim unless a ransom is paid. The PSNI says it received 70 reports of sextortion per month at its peak two years ago before falling to an average of 45 between last year and now. The warning comes after the force said it received four reports last Saturday, 24 May, alone from four men in the Belfast area who claimed to have been targeted. Advertisement Detective Inspector Karen Hamill explained how to identify the hallmarks of a sextortion attempt: 'Typically, a person uses a false identity to befriend a victim via social media. 'The exchange may start with flirting or flattery, but ends with the victim coaxed into sending intimate images or performing sexual acts online, unwittingly in front of a camera. 'Behind the fake and attractive guise, there's a criminal. These people are often part of sophisticated and organised crime groups, mostly based overseas. They extort their victims by threatening to share those images or recordings unless demands for money are met.' Detective Inspector Hamill said that the majority of victims are young men, aged between 18 and 23. She urges people to be on their guard and to always be aware of sharing intimate images online. She offered this advice: 'Don't panic; don't respond to demands; and don't enter into further communication. If you can, confide in a trusted friend or family member, and please contact officers immediately on 101.' In the South, sextortion is illegal under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, also known as 'Coco's Law', which came into effect in 2021. To date, An Garda Síochána has commenced 72 prosecutions related to 49 investigations under Coco's Law, with 82% of victims being male. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘It can destroy people's lives' – Sinn Féin's Nicole Ryan demands catfishing law reform
Corkman 'Catfishing is is calculated, predatory and it can destroy people's lives,' stated Senator Nicole Ryan who said that vulnerable people are being scammed out of thousands of euros and individuals have been left traumatised Catfishing occurs when an individual assumes a false identity online, often using stolen images or personal details, to deceive others into forming relationships, whether online or in person. Victims of catfishing can fall into two categories; those who are deceived into thinking they are in a relationship with a non-existent person, and secondly, individuals whose images and personal details are stolen to create fake online identities. Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan said catfishing at its core is deception. 'Catfishing is when someone steals another person's images or identity to create a fake persona online often to trick, exploit or defraud others. While it began with a messaging or a dating app profile it frequently escalates to financial fraud and emotional manipulation. In some cases even coercive control.' 'This isn't harmless online behaviour,' said Ms Ryan. 'It is calculated, predatory and it can destroy peoples lives. We've seen headlines from high profile GAA players that have been impersonated, vulnerable people being scammed out of thousands of euros and individuals left traumatised after discovering a relationship that they believed was real actually never existed. But behind each headline is a human and some betrayed, humiliated and left sometimes to pick up the pieces.' The Cork politician appealed for standalone legislation to be enacted which would give more power to An Garda Síochána and the court system to tackle catfishing. 'There is already current legislation that covers some of these aspects through harassment laws, fraud legislation and Coco's Law. While these laws are welcome we can't ignore the fact that catfishing is a distinct and emerging form of harm. It doesn't just fit neatly into the current legislation that we have of victims who are sometimes left without the clear path to justice. 'We believe that there is a strong case here to have this as a standalone offence that sends a clear message that online deception is not just morally wrong, but also legally wrong. It would give An Garda Síochána and the courts the clarity that they need when investigating and prosecuting these offences and it would give victims that they do deserve,' she added.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Catfishing destroying people's lives and leaving individuals traumatised
Corkman 'Catfishing is is calculated, predatory and it can destroy people's lives,' stated Senator Nicole Ryan who said that vulnerable people are being scammed out of thousands of euros and individuals have been left traumatised Catfishing occurs when an individual assumes a false identity online, often using stolen images or personal details, to deceive others into forming relationships, whether online or in person. Victims of catfishing can fall into two categories; those who are deceived into thinking they are in a relationship with a non-existent person, and secondly, individuals whose images and personal details are stolen to create fake online identities. Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan said catfishing at its core is deception. 'Catfishing is when someone steals another person's images or identity to create a fake persona online often to trick, exploit or defraud others. While it began with a messaging or a dating app profile it frequently escalates to financial fraud and emotional manipulation. In some cases even coercive control.' 'This isn't harmless online behaviour,' said Ms Ryan. 'It is calculated, predatory and it can destroy peoples lives. We've seen headlines from high profile GAA players that have been impersonated, vulnerable people being scammed out of thousands of euros and individuals left traumatised after discovering a relationship that they believed was real actually never existed. But behind each headline is a human and some betrayed, humiliated and left sometimes to pick up the pieces.' The Cork politician appealed for standalone legislation to be enacted which would give more power to An Garda Síochána and the court system to tackle catfishing. 'There is already current legislation that covers some of these aspects through harassment laws, fraud legislation and Coco's Law. While these laws are welcome we can't ignore the fact that catfishing is a distinct and emerging form of harm. It doesn't just fit neatly into the current legislation that we have of victims who are sometimes left without the clear path to justice. 'We believe that there is a strong case here to have this as a standalone offence that sends a clear message that online deception is not just morally wrong, but also legally wrong. It would give An Garda Síochána and the courts the clarity that they need when investigating and prosecuting these offences and it would give victims that they do deserve,' she added.
Extra.ie
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion details abusive relationship with ex partner
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has urged anyone that knows someone who might be in a coercive relationship to not be judgemental but 'listen to them.' The 44-year-old politician detailed how she has come to terms with her own abusive relationship at the hands of her partner of six years, Sean Tyrell. Mr Tyrell was sentenced to four-months in jail for offences under Coco's Law against Ms Funchion. Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has urged anyone that knows someone who might be in a coercive relationship to not be judgemental but 'listen to them.' Pic: Ireland AM/ Instagram Speaking on Ireland AM on Monday, the MEP told presenters Tommy Bowe and Muireann O'Connell how her relationship with Tyrell was 'dysfunctional at times.' 'Hindsight is hindsight for a reason,' she said, 'There was elements of control probably from very early on.' Ms Funchion added that the control can be 'hard to identify' as it is a gradual process which results in you doubting and questioning yourself. She added that it results in a 'huge amount of confidence' lost, which is what the abusive partner wants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ireland AM (@irelandamvmtv) The MEP for Ireland South detailed how her ex-partner would question if she wasn't home by a certain time, a feat difficult for a politician who deals with the public. 'You're always trying to be ten steps ahead to think what kind of potential issue is happening here,' she detailed. 'I felt that I was always trying to find a solution as I really loved Sean, I really wanted this relationship to work. For me, this was it. I was determined to see how we could figure this out.' Ms Funchion detailed how her partner had been threatening to go to journalists with 'various stories' about her claiming that she was financially and physically abusive to him. Speaking on Ireland AM on Monday, the MEP told presenters Tommy Bowe and Muireann O'Connell how her relationship with Tyrell was 'dysfunctional at times.' Pic: Ireland AM/ Instagram 'I went to the Gardaí; I reached out to the Amber Women's Refuge as well,' the politician shared. She went on to give her praise to Gardaí and the protective services unit in Kilkenny who she branded as 'amazing' during the case. Speaking about writing her victim impact statement, she admitted it took her a 'very long time' to write it, adding that she was 'physically sick' in the lead up to having to read it out in court. 'It is very, very difficult for people,' she said, 'I've always had admiration for people who come forward but even more-so after going through it.' The Kilkenny woman added that she did feel 'physically lighter' following the case, but detailed there are still difficulties in her life following on from the relationship, such as letting people into her life. 'That is something that has changed for me,' she stated, 'But I am really glad that I did go all the way with it.'
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- Irish Independent
True level of upskirting ‘is much higher as victims are often unaware' and so crime goes under-reported
'Upskirting', a specific offence in Ireland, is where someone takes intimate photos or videos of a female, mostly using mobile phones, without their knowledge. But because the recording is usually so covert, it is likely that the target never knows they have been filmed unless they see images of themselves on the internet. In November 2023 a Dublin father of one who made an upskirt recording of a young woman while she was socialising with friends and family in her home received a five-month suspended sentence and was spared jail. Luke Haskins (30), of Woodview Close, The Donahies, was a guest at the victim's house when he was caught making the intimate video with his mobile phone without her consent. He pleaded guilty to recording an intimate image without consent and Judge Gráinne Malone said it had been a 'serious invasion' for the victim in her own home. The legislation used to convict Haskins was Section 3 of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act of 2020, which is more broadly known as Coco's Law. It gained its name after the family of Nicole 'Coco' Fox Fenlon (21) campaigned for it after she took her own life in 2018 due to bullying largely through messages spread on social media. Under the legislation an 'intimate image' means any visual representation, including any accompanying sound or document, of what is, or purports to be, the person's genitals, buttocks or anal region, and breasts in the case of a female. The legislation also applies to images of the underwear covering the areas referred to, as well as nude images and images in which the person is engaged in sexual activity. And while there have been a number of successful prosecutions under Coco's Law, they are largely in situations of the sharing of revenge intimate images after a relationship break-up. ADVERTISEMENT When people find intimate images of themselves online they can report them to gardaí or to which liaises with gardaí in documenting such images. is the Irish national reporting centre where members of the public can securely, anonymously, and confidentially report concerns in respect of illegal content online, especially child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The removal of child sexual abuse images and videos from the internet is the core of its work. In that sense, Hotline becomes the central location where images are assessed, and it then sets about requesting social media groups to remove them, and signposts them to gardaí and other agencies if prosecution is warranted or further action or assistance is required. It is a grave violation of a person's dignity and erodes their feeling of safety But CEO of Hotline, Mick Moran has said the phenomenon of upskirting is likely under-reported. 'Many people who are targeted don't know it is happening, and they are unlikely to find the images online because the images may not be shared, and if they are their faces are not visible. They might become aware of them if they are targeted for financial gain, but otherwise they just will not know,' he said. 'It is a behaviour that could escalate too. What can start as upskirting could lead to acts of voyeurism or flashing.' Chief executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh said upskirting and other forms of non-consensual image-based abuse are insidious crimes that cause much distress to victims. 'It is a grave violation of a person's dignity and erodes their feeling of safety in their home, while socialising, in school or university, or in the wider community. 'We have seen how some perpetrators of upskirting may also be committing other sexual offences, such as in the case of Dominique Pelicot in France or in the Paul Boyle case here in Ireland.' The Boyle case mentioned by Ms Morrogh is when around 20,000 images of women and girls' legs, groins and buttocks, including upskirt photos of schoolgirls, were found on Scotsman Paul Boyle's mobile phone when an off-duty garda spotted him acting suspiciously on a Luas in Dublin in 2019. A subsequent garda search of Boyle's home at Sandyford View, Blackglen Road, Dublin 18, found hundreds of thousands of similar images, along with 'extremely explicit' child abuse material. He was sentenced to a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence, but had that reduced by nearly two years on appeal. 'Our counsellors on the National Rape Crisis Helpline have observed very small numbers of people seeking information or support around the issue of upskirting and we believe that this is partly because there is a low level of awareness that this is a crime,' Ms Morrogh said. 'We also hear feelings of resignation or trivialisation from people who have experienced this first-hand – some don't think it's serious enough to get support and others seem to accept this as normalised or habitual behaviour.' 'It is entirely understandable that someone might be deeply affected by upskirting,' she added, stressing that even if a person is unaware they have been targeted they are still a victim. If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, call the Rape Crisis Centre on freephone 1800 77 88 88,
