Revenge Porn Laws in Ohio (2026): Your Rights and What to Do

Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio Revised Code section 2917.211 makes it an offense to knowingly disseminate an image of an adult who is identifiable from the image or accompanying information, who is nude or engaged in a sexual act, where the image is shared without consent and with intent to harm the person shown.

The statute also prohibits knowingly disseminating a fabricated sexual image without consent, and creating or soliciting a fabricated sexual image with intent to distribute where the purpose is to harass, extort, threaten or cause physical, emotional, reputational or economic harm. Narrow exceptions apply, including lawful criminal investigations, reporting unlawful conduct, news reporting and medical purposes.

Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in Ohio

A violation involving a real private sexual image is a felony of the fifth degree, punishable by 6 to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. If the offender has a prior conviction under the section or for a sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offense, it rises to a felony of the fourth degree, punishable by 6 to 18 months and a fine of up to $5,000.

Disseminating or creating a fabricated sexual image is a felony of the fourth degree, rising to a felony of the third degree on a qualifying prior conviction, which carries 9 to 36 months and a fine of up to $10,000. Courts can also order criminal forfeiture of profits, proceeds and property connected with the offense.

Can I Sue in Ohio?

Yes. Section 2307.66 gives a victim of a section 2917.211 violation a civil cause of action for an injunction or temporary restraining order stopping further dissemination, plus compensatory and punitive damages, on top of reasonable attorney fees and the costs of bringing the action.

The statute presumes the victim suffered harm from the nonconsensual dissemination, which removes a common evidential hurdle. The action must be brought within four years after the victim discovers the private sexual image or fabricated sexual image, and the claim is in addition to any other statutory or common-law claim.

Does Ohio Law Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?

Yes. Ohio law defines a fabricated sexual image as a created, adapted or modified image in which a person is recognizable by face, likeness or another distinguishing characteristic and is shown nude or engaged in a sexual act.

Both dissemination of a fabricated image and its creation or solicitation with intent to distribute are felonies, and the civil claim under section 2307.66 covers fabricated images as well. Federal law can additionally apply to qualifying digital forgeries and platform removal requests.

What to Do Right Now If Your Images Were Shared in Ohio

1. 1

   Preserve the Evidence Before Reporting It

   Save screenshots showing the post, account name, full URL, date and time. Keep original messages and files, and store copies somewhere the other person cannot access. Do not rely on a post remaining 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 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 the Conduct in Ohio

   Contact local police or the relevant state victim-support service and refer to R.C. § 2917.211. If threats, stalking, extortion, hacking, or images of a minor are involved, say so because separate and more serious offenses may apply.

5. 5

   Get Advice About Civil Protection

   Ohio has a dedicated NCII civil claim under R.C. 2307.66 with injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages and attorney fees, and harm is presumed. The action must generally be brought within four years of discovering the image.

Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Ohio Rev. Code § 2917.211 — dissemination of image of another person
• Ohio Rev. Code § 2307.66 — civil action for dissemination of images
• Ohio Attorney General — help for crime victims
• StopNCII.org

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