The One Thing We're Missing When We Talk About Rob Kardashian

On Wednesday morning, the day after the Fourth of July, Rob Kardashian didn't go into work and try to power through his post-BBQ hangover, as most of us do. Instead, he decided to commit what is arguably a very serious crime. In the latest installment of his on-again, off-again relationship with Blac Chyna, Kardashian posted sexually explicit photos of Blac Chyna on Instagram, along with screenshots of their texts and a video of her kissing an unidentified man. In a series of rambling follow-up posts on Instagram, Kardashian explained that his actions were prompted by Blac Chyna's alleged infidelity and his frustration with her spending all of his money, promising his millions of followers that "more receipts are coming."

Of course, posting nonconsensual nude photos of your partner isn't showing the "receipts," nor is it a justifiable response to infidelity — it's just a straight-up crime under California law, where Kardashian lives. (Romper reached out to Kardashian's representatives for comment and has not yet heard back.) But that hasn't stopped fans on Twitter from salivating over the prospect of learning more about Rob and Blac Chyna's drama, effectively ignoring the grotesque implications of Kardashian's actions and encouraging him to further violate the privacy of his ex and the mother of his child.

In fact, the reactions on Twitter range from mild sympathy for Blac Chyna to full-on glee over the prospect of Kardashian releasing more nonconsensual nudes.

In the midst of all this celebration over yet another cup of piping-hot Kardashian tea, it's crucial to note one thing: posting a nude photo of someone without their consent, as Kardashian did, is not a tidbit of juicy celebrity gossip, nor is it an example of celebrities airing out their dirty laundry. Not only is it a gross violation of privacy, regardless of the infamy level of the participants, but it is also a crime.

According to the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, 38 states and the District of Columbia have laws criminalizing the dissemination of nude or sexually explicit photos without the other party's consent, which is more commonly known as revenge porn. California, where Kardashian lives, is one of those states. Since 2013, revenge porn has been considered a criminal misdemeanor in California, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If the person in the photos is a minor, the punishment is a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Not only is revenge porn a crime, it's also one that wreaks permanent havoc on the lives of victims. Because nonconsensual nude photos are often posted alongside the victim's identifying details, such as a name or contact information, having a nude photo of yourself on the internet can often make it difficult for victims of revenge porn to find employment. Worse, according to one study, 80 to 93 percent of victims endure "significant emotional distress after the release of their explicit photographs," including "anger, guilt, paranoia, depression, or even suicide."

It could be argued — and has been, by numerous people on Twitter — that Chyna's past sexual behavior, including her alleged infidelities and her past as an exotic dancer, justify Kardashian releasing her nude photos without her consent. This is bogus. Kardashian's posts are garden-variety slut-shaming, designed to punish a woman for her sexuality, and those defending him are giving a free pass to a man who uses images of a woman's naked body in an attempt to control and humiliate her. Because when it comes right down to it, that's all that revenge porn is — yet another way that men use women's sexuality as a weapon against them.

Blac Chyna has yet to publicly comment on Kardashian's Instagram posts, so we don't know how she feels about the fact that her private nude images were published by the father of her child without her consent. (Romper has reached out to Blac Chyna, and we will update if we hear back.) Yet for those who are celebrating yet another salacious twist in the Rob Kardashian/Blac Chyna saga, know that that's not what's going on here. There's nothing to celebrate about these Instagram posts. They are merely another example of a man seemingly attempting to gain control over a woman the only way he knows how: by publicly punishing her for her sexuality. His behavior should be condemned, not celebrated for causing "drama." The upside is that thanks to recent updates in state laws designed to protect women in cases like this, perpetrators pay the price for this predatory behavior. Kardashian may, too — and not just in the court of public opinion.