Revenge Porn Laws in Rhode Island: What Victims Need to Know in 2026
What Rhode Island Law Says
Rhode Island addresses revenge porn under Rhode Island General Laws Section 11-64-3, part of the state's "Nonconsensual Pornography" chapter. The law classifies the nonconsensual dissemination of intimate images as a misdemeanor for a first offense.
A first offense carries penalties of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. A second or subsequent offense is a felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison and fines up to $3,000. Rhode Island's escalating penalty structure provides additional deterrence for repeat NCII offenders.
Review the statute at the Rhode Island Legislature website.
What Counts as Revenge Porn in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's statute defines the offense through these elements. The content must be an intimate image depicting a person in nudity or engaged in sexual conduct. The image was obtained in circumstances where the depicted person had a reasonable expectation of privacy. The offender intentionally disseminated the image. The dissemination was without the consent of the depicted person.
Rhode Island's law does not require proof of specific intent to harm or harass, which facilitates prosecution. The law covers all distribution methods, including social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter/X, websites, messaging apps, and email.
How to Report
Rhode Island victims should take 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 or the Rhode Island State Police. Reference RIGL 11-64-3.
- Contact the Attorney General — Rhode Island's AG office handles criminal prosecutions and can be contacted directly.
- Report to the FBI — File with the FBI IC3 for internet-based distribution.
- Seek a restraining order — Rhode Island courts can issue protective orders addressing harassment and image distribution.
Limitations of Criminal Law
Rhode Island's misdemeanor classification for first offenses means lighter penalties initially. The criminal process takes time, and images remain accessible throughout. Rhode Island's small size can be an advantage for law enforcement coordination, but also means limited specialized digital crime resources.
A conviction does not automatically remove content from platforms. Cross-jurisdictional cases remain challenging. However, Rhode Island's compact geography can facilitate faster investigation within the state.
Removing the Content
Content removal should be pursued urgently.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act requires platforms to remove NCII within 48 hours of a valid request.
StopNCII.org allows victims to create hashes that participating platforms use to block matching content.
IntimaShield provides professional NCII removal services managing takedowns across multiple platforms, search engines, and the broader web.
See also: Connecticut's revenge porn law for a New England comparison with felony-level penalties.
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