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

Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Washington?

Yes. RCW 9A.86.010 makes it a crime to knowingly disclose an intimate image of another person where the person depicted is identifiable, the image was obtained or created in circumstances in which they had a reasonable expectation of privacy, the disclosure was without their consent, and it causes harm. Disclosure includes posting, transferring, publishing or selling the material.

The statute defines intimate images broadly, covering nudity, exposure of the genitals or anus, and sexual conduct. Each separate disclosure can be charged as its own violation, so posting the same picture to several sites or sending it to several people is not treated as a single act.

Washington also has a separate voyeurism offense at RCW 9A.44.115 for recording or viewing someone in a private place without consent, which is a felony. Where images were taken secretly and then shared, both statutes can be in play.

Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in Washington

A first violation is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. A second or subsequent violation is a class C felony, which carries up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. That escalation matters in practice, because repeat posting behaviour is common in these cases.

Because each disclosure counts separately, a person who posts to multiple platforms can face multiple counts from a single incident. Prosecutors often add cyberstalking under RCW 9.61.260, harassment, or extortion where demands are made in exchange for not sharing.

Where the images involve a minor, Washington's child sexual abuse material offenses apply instead and carry substantially heavier penalties.

Can I Sue Someone in Washington?

Yes, and Washington's civil statute is one of the more generous in the country. Under RCW 4.24.795, part of the Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act, a person depicted can sue for economic and non-economic damages, or liquidated damages of $10,000, plus punitive damages where available, attorney's fees and costs.

The court can also order injunctive or other equitable relief, which in practice means orders to take material down, hand over copies and stop further distribution. You can bring the claim whether or not the police get involved.

The Act sets its own limitation period: four years from the date of the disclosure or from when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered it. That is longer than the general personal-injury window and is a real advantage where images surface months or years later.

Does Washington Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?

Yes. Washington amended its intimate-image offenses in 2024 to reach fabricated images, meaning content that has been digitally created or altered to depict an identifiable person in a way that appears indistinguishable from a real image. A face-swapped or AI-generated nude of a real person therefore falls inside the criminal law rather than outside it.

The state also criminalizes fabricated depictions of minors under separate provisions, which are treated with the same seriousness as real child sexual abuse material. Alongside all of this, the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act requires covered platforms to remove reported nonconsensual intimate imagery, including digital forgeries, within 48 hours of a valid request.

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

1. 1

   Preserve the Evidence Before Reporting It

   Save screenshots showing the post, the account name, the full URL, and the date and time. Because Washington treats each disclosure as its own violation, a clear log of every post or send strengthens both the criminal case and your civil claim.

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 Washington

   Contact your local police or sheriff's office and refer to RCW 9A.86.010, and mention RCW 9A.44.115 if the images were taken without your knowledge. Flag any threats, stalking, extortion, hacking or images of a minor, because separate and more serious offenses may apply.

5. 5

   Get Advice About the Civil Claim

   Ask a Washington attorney about suing under RCW 4.24.795, which allows $10,000 in liquidated damages plus fees, and about breach of any written agreement. The claim can be filed up to four years after the disclosure or its discovery.

Washington: Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• RCW 9A.86.010 — Disclosing intimate images
• RCW 4.24.795 — Civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure
• Washington State Attorney General

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