Photo of husband posted on Facebook group with allegation - legalities?

[Hattie24]

Earlier I was alerted to a post by a woman on our town’s community Facebook page. It is a rant about a flat in her block being used by a group of prostitutes which is causing issues at unsociable hours and how the landlord isn’t doing anything about it. Under this there are photos of various men at the entrance of the block of flats and one of them is my husband. The insinuation is that these have all been visiting that flat.

I want to know the legalities of this woman posting such an allegation as she is outright refusing to remove the post. It is obviously extremely humiliating for me (friends and no doubt colleagues have seen it) and there’s so many comments underneath. We’ve been on a ‘break’ due to various issues but still living together and haven’t been intimate for nearly a year so I don’t need a lecture on how I shouldn’t have married such a man.

Is it me or is someone putting up a post like this without any thought for the consequences on various families etc utterly disgusting?

But why should he? It might be true. It might not. But without proof, and captioning a photo with an implication that he was using prostitutes, is surely slander? I’d definitely find out more OP about the legalities here.

This is embarrassing. It’s blindly taking up for your husband. Let him fight his battles. Facebook accounts are free, he can make one and challenge it. Chances are he was visiting a prostitute. Don’t do his work for him.

Pyshios linked to rugby clubs go to the rugby club on their training days to see players who need treatment. That way they can help more players in a compressed time.

I have only read the first post and skimmed some other posts. I can see that there is some incorrect advice on this thread. A lot of people seem to think it is ok to post this photo on Facebook because it was taken in a public place. That is wrong. It is ok to take the photo for personal use but publishing it by posting it on social media is another matter.

You have no right to get the photo removed. However, posting a photo of an identifiable individual on Facebook without their consent is a breach of GDPR. If your husband wants the photo removed and the person who posted it refuses to remove it, he should contact Facebook and ask them to remove it.

Exactly this.

Ah that seems legit. A sports physio that exclusively sees men?

Yes, the woman is being nasty and for all she knows people could be visiting, calling someone else in the block.

How can she be sure the flat is being used by prostitutes anyway, I doubt they openly advertise it. She must be very nosy and snoopy. I live in a small block of flats and have no idea what anyone else here does, neither do I want to.

Complain to facebook, get the picture taken down if you can.

If I was a member of that facebook group I would say openly that it is not right to show people in that way and make insinuations. If the tenants of the flat are causing some sort of nuisance, noise or whatever, make a complaint through the correct channels but don't post photographs. It may not be illegal but it is wrong to invade people's privacy and, as you have said, upsetting for you and his family.

I feel sorry for you but, honestly, I doubt many people who know you will see it. Not everyone uses facebook or joins local groups. Hold your head up, you've done nothing wrong.

Heaven preserve us all from nosy neighbours.

How would you feel if a constant stream of random men were coming in and out at all hours where you lived. You are still living with one of these men . Focus on sorting your life out. She is clearly doing something to actively improve hers. That involves getting rid of your husband from outside her flat. Perhaps you should take greater steps to get rid of your husband from inside yours

He wants sex. He and his partner are on a break. Why is it utterly disgusting he sees a prostitute?

.

Unfortunately unless you are wealthy people can pretty much say what they like. Suing for liable is costly.

I’m with the woman on this.
Are the prostituted women posing as sports therapists? Or is he claiming he was elsewhere and this physiotherapist just happens to work next door to a brothel?
Either way my sympathy is with the neighbour, it must be soul destroying for her and other residents.

This!!!

I can understand why the residents are angry, but the police would be the first port of call surely?

Social media is used for all ills without conscience.

Im sorry this has happened. YANBU to want the post taken down.

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this but by now everyone has screen shot the post and it’s doing the rounds to everyone that knows him. Bet your friend was shown by someone else rather than found it. Removing it doesn’t save the blushes now.

He wasn’t at physio or if he was ask for the number/address so you can verify yourself. You’ll see it’s a lie. Or just don’t bother and ditch him for good.

Is this a joke? He’s paying to exploit very vulnerable women for a selfish desire.

• 70% of women in prostitution in London are believed to have been trafficked
• Approximately 2,600 children have been trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation
• In one UK study, 95% of women in street prostitution used heroin or crack cocaine
• Around 80% of the women exhibit high levels of depression, anxiety, or PTSD
• Approximately 15% of trafficked individuals in UK mental health services have serious mental illness such as schizophrenia
• In an international study, 68% of women in prostitution met criteria for PTSD
• 71% had been physically assaulted and 63% raped during prostitution

But as long as the poor man gets to have sex then who cares? They’re only women.

Op, be honest, this is more about you wanting to get proof over whether he has done it, rather than being moralistic about it.

This, a dozen times over…

While posting a photo of an identifiable individual on Facebook without their consent may be a breach of GDPR lack of consent is not an absolute prohibition. There are legal justifications for publishing that do not require consent e.g. legitimate interest, legal obligation, etc. In this case publishing photos of men visiting a brothel in order to deter other men visiting would be a legitimate interest.

Because on MN, every single sex worker is an abused, sex trafficking victim with no agency. No exceptions.

Let him worry about it. Why are you sweating about his legal position, that's his job?

Me too.

How awful for the families living in the block of flats. They've done nothing wrong, unlike your husband, clearly.

Yes, but in this case, there was no particular claim just a photo of the man and the OP seems to think it's likely he was using a prostitute.
Not the same situation at all.

From the info provided by OP, they're not necessarily photos of men visiting a brothel though. They're pictures of men outside a flat, which they may, or may not have entered, which may, or may not have one or more sex workers inside.

The only legalities of relevance to you are why you haven't already divorced.

I taught in deprived areas for years. The mothers of the children I taught were often working as prostitutes. They were not strong, empowered , independent women, their lives were utter hell and it showed on their faces. They weren't doing it as a choice. In the summer they would wear little vest tops . The bruises, self harm marks and needle marks were clearly visible. They weren't 'high class escorts' blazing a trail for sexual freedom ( is anyone) They were sex workers, pieces of human meat, with less value to society than a piece of meat in a supermarket.