Nude Photo Leak Scandal

Scott Medelson’s article, “Jennifer Lawrence Nude Photo Leak Isn’t A ‘Scandal’. It’s A Sex Crime” goes in a different direction than most articles would when regarding a supposed “sex scandal”.  While most people make the point that nude photos shouldn’t be taken in the first place, Mendelson simply states that women (and men, for that matter) have the right to take and store nude photos in their phones or on their computers “with the expectation that said contents will remain private or exclusive to whomever is permitted to see them (Mendelson).”  He claims that the stealing and posting of nude photos is a theft and “exploitation of the female body (Mendelson).”  Medelson makes the point that the women affected by the leaked photos should not be ashamed and should instead feel that their personal belongings have been stolen and exposed.

              Though my initial reaction to the leak of these photos was that these women knew better than to take the photos in the first place, this article soon had me rethinking my harsh judgments.  Though I don’t agree with the practice of taking and saving/sending nude photos, it is within a person’s rights to do so.  I also agree with his reasoning that women should not have to take extra precautions in order to stay safe, people should be taught not to commit heinous crimes against women in the first place.  The women whose photos were leaked have nothing to apologize for as they did not commit a crime or even release the photos on a whim.  The person who leaked the photos and exposed these women’s private lives is the one who should apologize.  Mendelson’s article had me look at this situation (along with others of the sort) in a new light that puts the blame, not on the victim, but on the victimizer instead.