How Much Compensation Can You Recover in a Revenge Porn Case?

The True Value of Justice for Victims

When intimate images or videos are shared without your consent, the harm goes far beyond embarrassment. It affects your mental health, your relationships, your career, and even your safety. Many victims ask the same question once the shock subsides: What compensation is available for what I’ve been through?

In New York, courts recognize that revenge porn inflicts both financial and emotional harm. Survivors are entitled to pursue money damages, protective orders, and, in severe cases, punitive damages that punish the wrongdoer. Our sexual abuse attorneys have helped victims pursue meaningful recovery for losses that often go unseen but are deeply felt. At Horn Wright, LLP, we push for compensation that reflects not just what you’ve lost, but what you deserve.

Types of Damages Available in New York

New York law offers victims several different categories of compensation under Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51 and Penal Law § 245.15. Together, these laws cover civil remedies and criminal accountability.

The primary types of damages include:

• Compensatory damages. These cover out-of-pocket expenses directly tied to the violation. Therapy costs, job losses, relocation expenses, and digital security measures all fall into this category. Courts aim to make the victim “whole” again by reimbursing actual expenses.
• General damages. These address intangible harm like pain and suffering. The law recognizes that the psychological burden of having private images distributed without consent is profound and enduring. General damages are often significant because emotional fallout affects nearly every aspect of daily life.
• Injunctive relief. Beyond money, victims can also ask the court to order immediate removal of images and prohibit further sharing. In many cases, judges grant injunctions quickly, preventing ongoing harm while the lawsuit moves forward.

By combining these remedies, victims can recover both financially and emotionally while ensuring the unlawful content is taken down.

Emotional Distress and Reputational Harm Awards

Few damages weigh more heavily in revenge porn cases than emotional distress and reputational harm. Judges and juries in New York have awarded substantial sums in recognition of the psychological toll. Victims often suffer panic attacks, depression, or social withdrawal, and courts increasingly understand that these consequences deserve compensation.

Reputational harm is equally significant. If your images are linked to your name, employer, or school, the damage can affect career opportunities, friendships, and even personal safety. Courts consider testimony, expert reports, and sometimes even workplace records when calculating these damages. For example, a victim who loses a job after intimate images surface may recover both lost wages and compensation for reputational injury.

These awards aren’t symbolic. They acknowledge the full scope of what revenge porn strips from a victim: dignity, peace of mind, and professional credibility. Our attorneys know how to build these arguments so judges and juries see the complete impact.

Punitive Damages in Extreme Cases

Punitive damages are not about compensation, they are about punishment. In New York, courts may award punitive damages if the offender’s actions were especially malicious, reckless, or repeated. These damages serve as a warning to others and as a form of accountability that goes beyond financial repayment.

Examples where punitive damages may apply include:

• Cases involving blackmail revenge porn, where the offender threatened to release images unless demands were met. Courts treat coercion as aggravated conduct that justifies harsher penalties.
• Instances where content was distributed across multiple platforms or re-posted after takedown orders, showing deliberate defiance.
• Situations where the offender profited financially from the images, such as posting to paid sites or selling access.

Punitive damages are not guaranteed, but when awarded, they often multiply the total compensation substantially. They send a clear message: this kind of exploitation won’t be tolerated.

Vermont Limits Certain Damages That New York Permits

Not all states are as protective of victims as New York. Vermont, for instance, criminalizes revenge porn but restricts some categories of damages in civil court. Emotional distress damages may require a higher threshold of proof, and punitive damages are less frequently awarded.

By contrast, New York law allows survivors to pursue a broad spectrum of damages, even without a psychiatric diagnosis or physical injury. Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51, paired with Penal Law § 245.15, create avenues for compensation that many states lack.

If your case involves more than one jurisdiction, say, the offender lives in Vermont but the content circulated in New York, it’s often strategic to file in New York. Our attorneys know how to argue jurisdiction so victims can benefit from New York’s broader protections.

Factors That Influence Settlement or Trial Value

The value of a revenge porn case depends on many variables. Courts and attorneys weigh factors carefully to determine whether a case should settle or go to trial.

Key influences include:

• The extent of distribution. Was the content shared with one person or across multiple websites? The broader the distribution, the greater the harm, and the higher the damages. Courts recognize that once something goes viral, reputational damage increases exponentially, and they award accordingly.
• The victim’s tangible losses. Lost jobs, canceled promotions, or withdrawal from educational programs all increase the value of a case. Financial records showing reduced income or disrupted career trajectories make damages measurable and compelling to courts.
• The offender’s intent. A careless leak might carry less weight than deliberate humiliation. In social media revenge porn cases where posts are public and meant to maximize embarrassment, courts see the intent clearly and often increase compensation.
• Evidence strength. Screenshots, metadata, and witness testimony make or break outcomes. The more solid the evidence, the stronger the leverage for settlements or favorable trial results.

Every case is different, but these factors often guide how much compensation survivors can realistically expect.

Why Every Case’s Value Is Unique

No two cases are the same. The impact of revenge porn is deeply personal, and the law tries to reflect that. One victim may want primarily to erase the content. Another may need compensation to rebuild a career or afford long-term therapy. Still another may seek punitive damages to ensure the offender is held up as an example.

Judges and juries weigh the facts carefully, but it’s your story that makes the difference. The value of your case isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the life you’re trying to reclaim. That’s why experienced legal guidance matters. Attorneys help present your harm in a way that courts can’t ignore, ensuring compensation reflects your full reality.

Horn Wright, LLP, Pursues Maximum Compensation for Victims

After such a personal violation, you deserve more than token recognition, you deserve meaningful recovery. Our sexual abuse attorneys understand how to calculate the full range of damages, from therapy bills to punitive awards, and we fight to make sure no aspect of your suffering is minimized.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve helped victims secure damages for social media exposure, adult site postings, blackmail threats, and workplace retaliation. Each case is unique, but our goal is always the same: maximum compensation for every harm suffered. If you’re ready to hire one of the best law firms in America, we’ll fight to make sure your compensation reflects the true weight of what you’ve endured.