An Australian MP who was sacked for masturbating on the desk of a female politician has made a report to police alleging he is a victim of revenge porn.
Footage of the incident, alongside other explicit images, were broadcast on Australian television, after being provided to media by a Canberra man who doesn't work in parliament.
The Canberra man was someone the former MP met on a dating app almost 10 years ago. They have both performed sex acts in parliament buildings, reports ABC News.
Ex-colleagues and friends of the former MP said while they were shocked to see them engaging in the lewd act, they believed the sharing of the vision was image-based abuse.
Image-based abuse, also known as "revenge porn," is when sexually explicit images shared in confidence are posted online without consent. The aim is usually to cause distress or embarrassment.
Australian Capital Territory police confirmed to ABC News in a statement they had received a report on March 30.
"At this time, officers are engaging with a complainant and completing an assessment of the report," the statement read.
A report is different to a formal complaint, which is usually needed to warrant a full investigation.
Sources within the Australian government have told ABC News the former MP is someone loyal to the coalition who doesn't want further controversy.
They said he is in a "very dark place" with his mental health.
"I'm so proud of him for having the courage to do this, to even speak to police," said Liberal Party member Warren Entsch.
"I'm really worried about this whole episode. To me this whole incident and the way it has been portrayed amounts to gay-bashing. I think this would be treated differently by everyone if men and women were doing this.
"This guy is such a caring, hard-working, kind young fellow. He did a stupid thing but he's not a public figure, there's no need to persecute him forever."
The Canberra man who shared the video and images has denied they amount to revenge porn, saying they were only shared to highlight the workplace culture in parliament.
An investigation is currently underway into six men accused of taking part in sex acts in the Australian parliament house.
