Revenge pornography—also known as revenge porn or nonconsensual pornography—is a criminal offense in most states and is committed when a person publishes private nude, pornographic, or explicit photos, videos, or images of another person’s body or sexual activity without that person’s consent.

The publication of revenge porn may occur in many forms, including (1) an in-person showing of printed or electronic photographs or video to another person or persons; (2) sending images or videos by electronic message such as text, chat, or e-mail; (3) publishing images or videos on social media; or (4) publishing images or videos on a website.

Revenge pornography laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code. These statutes are sometimes titled with descriptive names such as The Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material. Revenge pornography offenses may be prosecuted as misdemeanors or as felony offenses—depending on the state's laws—and often include potential jail or prison time.

The publication of revenge pornography may also create civil liability for money damages in a lawsuit under state law, and some states have enacted specific laws providing for such civil liability, in addition to any criminal prosecution.

In Illinois, revenge pornography is addressed under the state's non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images statute, 720 ILCS 5/11-23.5. This law makes it a criminal offense to knowingly distribute an image of another person who is at least 18 years old without their consent, and where the person depicted is identifiable and engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed, in whole or in part. The law applies to various forms of distribution, including sharing via electronic means, social media, or websites. Violation of this statute is a Class 4 felony, which can result in penalties including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, Illinois allows victims of revenge pornography to file a civil lawsuit for damages against the perpetrator, providing a legal avenue for monetary compensation for the harm suffered due to the unauthorized dissemination of private sexual images.