Revenge Porn Laws in New Hampshire: What Victims Need to Know in 2026
What New Hampshire Law Says
New Hampshire addresses revenge porn under RSA 644:9-a, titled "Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images." A first offense is classified as a Class B misdemeanor, while subsequent offenses are Class A misdemeanors.
A Class B misdemeanor in New Hampshire carries a fine of up to $1,200 (no jail time for a first offense). A Class A misdemeanor for subsequent offenses carries up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,000. While New Hampshire's first-offense penalty is among the lighter in the nation, the escalation for repeat offenses provides additional deterrence for NCII distribution.
Review the statute at the New Hampshire Legislature website.
What Counts as Revenge Porn in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's statute defines the offense through these elements. The content must be a private sexual image depicting nudity or sexual conduct. The image was obtained under circumstances where the depicted person had a reasonable expectation of privacy. The offender knowingly disseminated the image. The dissemination was without the consent of the depicted person.
The law covers all distribution methods, including social media platforms like Instagram and Reddit, websites, messaging applications, and email. New Hampshire's law does not require proof of intent to harm, which simplifies prosecution.
How to Report
New Hampshire victims should follow these steps:
- Preserve all evidence — Screenshot images, save URLs, document account information, and keep all related communications.
- File a police report — Contact your local police department, the county sheriff, or New Hampshire State Police. Reference RSA 644:9-a.
- Contact the county attorney — Each county in New Hampshire has a county attorney who handles criminal prosecutions.
- Report to the FBI — File with the FBI IC3 for internet-based distribution.
- Seek a stalking or domestic violence protective order — New Hampshire courts can issue protective orders that address ongoing harassment.
Limitations of Criminal Law
New Hampshire's Class B misdemeanor classification for first offenses means the penalty is only a fine, with no jail time. This relatively light punishment may not adequately deter offenders or reflect the severity of the harm experienced by victims. The absence of jail time for first offenses is a notable gap.
The criminal process in New Hampshire, like all states, takes time. Images remain online throughout. Even with a conviction, there is no automatic mechanism for content removal from platforms. Identifying anonymous offenders and handling cross-jurisdictional cases present additional challenges.
Removing the Content
Content removal is critical and should not wait for the criminal process.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act requires platforms to remove NCII within 48 hours of a valid request, providing a stronger remedy than the state criminal penalty for first offenses.
StopNCII.org allows victims to create digital hashes that participating platforms use to automatically block matching content.
IntimaShield offers professional NCII removal services that handle multi-platform takedowns, search engine de-indexing, and ongoing monitoring.
See also: Massachusetts's revenge porn law for a New England comparison with stronger penalties.
Start a free confidential scan →