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    Revenge Porn Laws in District of Columbia (2026): Your Rights and What to Do

    The District of Columbia criminalizes disclosing or publishing a sexual image of someone without their consent, with penalties that step up for more serious publication offenses, and it gives victims a separate civil action for damages. Deepfake coverage is less clear-cut than the coverage of real images, so the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act is an important backstop.

    District of Columbia at a Glance

    Statute
    Unlawful Disclosure (Non-Consensual Pornography) — D.C. Code § 22-3052
    Criminal classification
    Misdemeanor; first-degree unlawful publication under § 22-3053 is a felony for more serious conduct
    Maximum penalty
    Up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for unlawful disclosure; first-degree unlawful publication carries substantially higher felony penalties
    Can you sue?
    Yes — D.C. Code § 7-2162 (civil action)
    Time limit to sue
    Check the specific limitation period in D.C. Code § 7-2162 and D.C.'s general personal-injury rules with a local attorney, as periods vary by claim type
    Deepfakes / AI images
    Partly covered

    Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Washington DC?

    Yes. D.C. Code § 22-3052 makes it unlawful to knowingly disclose a sexual image of another identified or identifiable person where the person depicted did not consent, and the discloser knew or consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk of that lack of consent.

    D.C. Code § 22-3053 (first-degree unlawful publication) and § 22-3054 (second-degree unlawful publication) address more serious publishing conduct, including publishing images obtained from a third party, and can carry heavier penalties than a basic unlawful-disclosure charge.

    A sexual image generally means one depicting nudity or sexual conduct in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy. The law does not apply to images voluntarily exposed in a public or commercial setting, or to protected constitutional activity.

    Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in Washington DC

    Basic unlawful disclosure under § 22-3052 is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. First-degree unlawful publication under § 22-3053, which typically involves aggravating factors such as intent to harass or a pattern of publication, is a felony with substantially higher penalties.

    Related D.C. offenses often apply alongside a revenge-porn charge, including stalking, harassment, and extortion where someone demands money or further images in exchange for not posting the material.

    Where the images depict a minor, D.C.'s child pornography and sexual abuse statutes apply instead, carrying far more serious felony penalties.

    Can I Sue Someone in Washington DC?

    Yes. D.C. Code § 7-2162 provides a civil action for a person harmed by the disclosure or publication of a private sexual image, allowing recovery of damages for economic, physical and emotional harm, independent of any criminal case.

    The civil statute defines "private" broadly, covering images created or obtained under circumstances giving rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy, or obtained through theft, bribery, extortion or fraud. Where the images were shared in breach of a written agreement between the two of you, that agreement is useful evidence there was no consent to share, and a contract claim may also be available.

    Talk to a D.C. attorney promptly to confirm the applicable filing deadline, since limitation periods differ depending on the type of claim you bring.

    Does Washington DC Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?

    Only partially. The Non-Consensual Pornography statutes focus on a "sexual image" of an identified or identifiable person and were written before AI image generation became widespread, so it is not settled how far they reach a wholly fabricated deepfake rather than a real photograph or recording.

    Regardless of how D.C. law is ultimately interpreted, the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act requires covered platforms to remove reported nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated or digitally altered images, within 48 hours of a valid takedown request.

    What to Do Right Now If Your Images Were Shared in District of Columbia

    1. 1

      Preserve the Evidence Before Reporting It

      Save screenshots showing the post, the account name, the full URL, and the date and time. Keep original messages and files, and store copies somewhere the other person cannot reach. Do not rely on a post staying online.

    2. 2

      Use the Platform's Intimate-Image Report

      Choose the nonconsensual intimate imagery or sexual-content reporting route rather than a general complaint. Keep confirmation emails and case numbers. Covered platforms also have federal notice-and-removal duties for valid reports.

    3. 3

      Use StopNCII.org to Limit Re-Uploads

      For adult images, StopNCII creates a digital fingerprint on your own device and shares the hash, not the image, with participating platforms. If the image was taken while you were under 18, use NCMEC's Take It Down service instead.

    4. 4

      Report It in DC

      Contact the Metropolitan Police Department and refer to D.C. Code § 22-3052 or § 22-3053. Flag any threats, stalking or extortion, because separate and more serious offenses may apply.

    5. 5

      Get Advice About the Civil Claim

      Ask a D.C. attorney about a civil action under D.C. Code § 7-2162 and about breach of any written agreement. Confirm the filing deadline early, since it can vary by claim type.

    Be Safer With a Written NDA as Evidence

    Most of District of Columbia's law is about what happens after the damage is done. The one thing you can do beforehand is put the boundary in writing. A Discreetly agreement is signed by both people, timestamped, and identity-verifiable, and it states plainly that neither person has consent to share, publish or show the material to anyone else.

    Where the law turns on the absence of consent to share, a signed agreement may provide useful documentary evidence that there was no consent to share. It cannot prevent a breach or guarantee a legal outcome, but it can make the agreed boundary clearer than relying only on informal messages. Creating one is free.

    Create a free agreement

    District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions

    Is revenge porn a felony in DC?
    Basic unlawful disclosure under § 22-3052 is a misdemeanor with up to 180 days in jail. More serious publication conduct charged under § 22-3053 (first-degree unlawful publication) is a felony with heavier penalties.
    Does DC law cover AI deepfake nudes?
    It is not entirely clear, because the statutes were written around real sexual images. The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act still requires covered platforms to remove reported AI-generated intimate images within 48 hours.
    Can I sue someone in DC for sharing intimate images?
    Yes. D.C. Code § 7-2162 provides a civil action for damages against a person who discloses or publishes a private sexual image without consent.
    Do I have to prove they wanted to hurt me?
    No. Liability turns on knowing disclosure without consent, plus knowledge or reckless disregard of that lack of consent, rather than a revenge motive.
    What if the image was recorded without me knowing?
    D.C.'s voyeurism statute can apply to the secret recording itself, separately from any charge for later disclosing or publishing the image.

    Sources

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    This page provides general information about District of Columbia law and is not legal advice. Laws change and outcomes depend on the facts. For advice on your situation, speak to a qualified attorney licensed in District of Columbia. Last reviewed August 2026.