VILE crimes of ‘revenge porn’ are soaring in West Yorkshire – and females account for nearly 80 per cent of victims.

The figures put a stark spotlight on degrading cases of intimate image abuse, where perpetrators largely go unpunished.

Data released by West Yorkshire Police reveals cases rocketed by 420 per cent between 2015 - when the sharing of intimate images without consent became an offence - and 2021.

Between 2020 and 2021 alone, cases rose by a staggering 60 per cent.

Only six per cent of reports between 2015 and 2021 resulted in a charge or summons, suggesting most offenders have never been brought to justice.

Research by the Revenge Porn Helpline mirrors what is seen in West Yorkshire.

It said reports to the helpline doubled in 2020 and continue to rise. In that year, more than 62 per cent of victims were reported to be female, a proportion consistent since 2015.

“Over the last five years, the cases reported to the Helpline show that women are around five times more likely to be victims of intimate image abuse than other genders,” said the helpline.

Detective Chief Inspector Allan Raw, of West Yorkshire Police’s Central Safeguarding Governance Unit said: “The aim of the crime is often to cause distress and public embarrassment and it is a violation of trust.

“The threat to the disclose images carries the same maximum sentence as actually disclosing them.”

He added: “West Yorkshire Police understand that the consequences of this offence on a victim can be significant and is by its nature is mainly associated with those who are in or have been in intimate relationships with them, and so can be a form of domestic abuse.

 “Where such allegations are made of this offence, specialist officers situated within our dedicated Safeguarding Units will ordinarily carry out investigations.

 “We are committed in our approach towards protecting vulnerable people and will continue to take rigorous action against those guilty of such offences. The subject is included in specialist training courses delivered by the Force.

 “West Yorkshire Police take such cases extremely seriously and do take into account victims’ wishes, understanding that in some cases victims, taking into account the distress and embarrassment, do not wish to progress the case through the court process.

 “There is help and support for victims via the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0845 6000 459, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or local domestic abuse support services which can be found on the West Yorkshire Police website.”