We’ve all heard of the infamous term “dick pic.” And who knows, maybe you’re an avid sender or receiver, but a study done by Marcotte in 2020 showed over 70% of women have received an unsolicited sexual image. “Dick pics” or newly renamed “cyber flashing” is almost a normal thing to receive unexpectedly throughout the day in the college scene.
As a person who has been cyber flashed, I was outraged to learn that currently Idaho does not have a law allowing victims of cyber flashing to press charges unless they are under the age of 18. “Cyber flashing” is a form a sexual interaction and just like all other sexual interactions, consent should be required. Outraged by the very same thing that I am, our very own Representative Nilsson-Troy is set to change this and make cyber flashing illegal in Idaho. House Bill 625, authored by Nilsson-Troy, sets to ban sending unsolicited sexual images to those who are over the age of 18, those who break this law could be fined anywhere from $500 – $1000 and could be sentenced to a year of imprisonment. Clearly, Representative Nisslon-Troy had the best interest of college students and all of Idaho in her mind when she wrote and presented this legislation.
ASUI Vice-President Katie Hettinga and I are writing a resolution in support of HB 625 that will be presented to the ASUI Senate and voted on in the upcoming weeks. In this resolution we share that in a study conducted by Oswald in 2019 that found 18% of men who cyber flash do it for their own pleasure. Of the 18%, 10% of those men stated it gave them pleasure because it “gives me a feeling of control over the person I sent it to,” and another 6% of the men surveyed stated that it gave them pleasure because they have a sense of dislike of women.
Knowing this, not punishing cyber flashing may encourage the mistreatment of women, simply because they are women. Women, men, and non-identifying people should have the right to not be exposed to cyber flashing and press charges if they are. With this new law potentially taking place in Idaho on July 1st, these rights will be solidified. Remember to always reach out to your elected officials to create positive change in Idaho.
Hopefully you’re just as excited as I was when I heard Representative Nilsson-Troy was writing this legislation. For the “dick pic” enthusiast on campus, remember to always receive consent before you send.
-Abigail Rode
About the Author:
I am a senior in the psychology program, and I have a passion for civic engagement and volunteering! I am the ASUI Director of Safety, Health, and Wellness as well as the Lead Alternative Service Break Specialists for the Department of Student Involvement.
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