The WA government is bringing family violence legislation into line with the digital age by criminalising cyber stalking and revenge porn.
Under the new laws, anyone who cyber-stalks or posts revenge porn online to blackmail or humiliate their current or former partner can face a two-year jail term.
The Restraining Orders and Related Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 2016 will be introduced into WA parliament this week.
WA Attorney-General Michael Mischin said the bill will better protect victims of family violence and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
"On its own, the justice system cannot eliminate family violence. However, we can encourage and support victims of violence in the home while seeking to deter, and punish, those in the community who choose to offend, and that is what this law does," he said.
The legislation introduces Family Violence Restraining Orders, which allow the court to order an offender to attend a behaviour change or intervention program, and to restrain them from distributing or publishing intimate images of a person as well as cyber-stalking.
Breaching the conditions of a family violence restraining order is punishable by two years in jail.
Mr Mischin also said the bill strengthens WA criminal laws in relation to unlawful acts which caused harm to a woman's unborn child or the loss of her pregnancy.
"If a person intentionally causes grievous bodily harm to a pregnant woman which results in the loss of her pregnancy, that person will face up to 20 years' imprisonment," he said.
"A person who causes grievous bodily harm to a woman's unborn child in other circumstances could be jailed for up to 14 years."
