Misogynistic men’s Facebook group becomes platform for illegal revenge porn

A Facebook group with almost 7000 members from across Australia has been used to share videos and photos of women without their consent, in addition to other misogynistic posts. 

Distributing intimate images without consent is a criminal offence in all Australian states and territories, except Tasmania. 

In Victoria, where the group appears to be based, the offence carries a maximum sentence of two years where the victim is an adult.

The group, called “Melb Guy Pals” has drawn criticism from women and feminist groups, calling for Facebook to close the group. 

In a set of screenshots obtained by Honi, one member offered to post a video of himself having sex with his ex-partner for “200 likes”, and then did so. The post has since been removed.

In another, a member posts and then deletes a similar video after 20 seconds. 

A separate post contains an image of a man receiving oral sex from a woman. It is not clear from the post if the poster took the photograph.

Other photos posted by a different member, appear to be of women on balconies of neighbouring buildings, taken without their awareness or consent. 

The group also contains a large number of non-photographic posts. One posts states “Holocaust #2 but instead of targeting jews (sic) we target women.” Another asks “anyone else fucking despise feminists?” 

A number of posts refer to women as “dishwashers.”

Though some posts criticise the misogyny, many others celebrate it. “Girls really need to think, it’s your fault if your nudes are leaked,” one post states.

One member told Honi that since leaks have drawn criticism online, the group has splintered into smaller groups and group chats to avoid deletion by Facebook.

As of publication, Facebook has not deleted the group.

The USyd Women’s Collective is currently developing an infographic series on intimate image abuse.