URGENT UPDATE: A New Jersey man has been awarded over $931,000 in a shocking revenge porn case after his ex-girlfriend posted intimate videos and images online. The federal court ruling, made on November 12, 2023, highlights the severe consequences of digital harassment and the urgent need for accountability in such cases.
S.S., identified in court documents, accused Dezarae Collins of Salem, Oregon, of a years-long campaign of harassment that began after their brief long-distance relationship ended in 2016. According to court filings, Collins relentlessly contacted S.S. and his family, making up to 250 calls a day at one point. The harassment escalated dramatically in 2022 when she allegedly shared intimate materials with S.S.’s family and a new girlfriend, distributing them over 77 times through anonymous messages.
The court found Collins liable after she failed to appear in court or respond to S.S.’s claims. A default judgment was entered in December 2023, with the judge ruling in favor of S.S. The court awarded $1,000 for each violation, along with $681,000 in punitive damages and $150,000 in liquidated damages.
In a statement, S.S.’s attorney, Daniel S. Szalkiewicz, declared, “Today, our firm secured justice for our client, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who was relentlessly electronically harassed by an ex-girlfriend.” He emphasized that nobody should endure such abuse, regardless of their resilience.
The disturbing details of the case reveal that Collins not only harassed S.S. but also created a fake Facebook profile impersonating him, sharing graphic content alongside personal details such as his social security number and phone number. This led S.S. to change his phone number over 100 times and to seek multiple temporary restraining orders.
The lawsuit, filed in February 2023, underscores the ongoing issue of digital privacy violations and the long-lasting impacts they can have on victims. S.S. reported losing several jobs due to the harassment, illustrating the severe real-world consequences of such online actions.
As the legal landscape evolves, this case serves as a critical reminder of the importance of protecting individuals from digital abuse. S.S.’s victory in court may encourage more victims to seek justice and bring awareness to the harrowing effects of revenge porn.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.