Is this what we are reduced to? As long as something is not a crime it is ok?

[frazzled]

25. My question is ...

Why isn't it a crime? At least in the instances where the photos or texts were neither anticipated, consented to, nor welcomed.

It's a crime for some creep to expose himself to you on the subway or in the street. Why isn't it a crime to send someone an unwelcome photo? It's the same thing to me. This kind of behavior has nothing to do with sex, so let's not pretend it does. It's not anything like having an affair (or even engaging the services of a prostitute). In these unsolicited cases it's an act of aggression, sometimes an abuse of power, and obviously something that reveals some "issues" on the part of the offender.

If, for example, I wrote to a Congressman I admired and they sent me back a suggestive photo, I would be shocked and offended, and I'd probably try to prosecute.

Note: I'm not talking about consensual acts of sexting. I'm talking about what appear to have been unsolicited and unwanted messages. Just because it's in cyberspace, it's no different than someone flashing you or engaging in an act of harassment. Those acts in real life have civil penalties. Perhaps it's time to make cyber acts of harassment punishable, too.

This is just one more example of women's rights being dismissed or ignored.