establishing this element varies. Most of these states provide elaborate descriptions of malice, such as “the intent to harass, intimidate, threaten, humiliate, embarrass, or coerce” (W. Va. Code § 61-8-28a(b) (2019); see N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-37A-1(A) (2019)) or “the intent to annoy, terrify, threaten, intimidate, harass, offend, humiliate or degrade” (Idaho Code § 18-6609(3)(a) (2019)) or “the intent to harass, intimidate, or coerce” (see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-7-801(1)(a) (2019); Mo. Rev. Stat. § 573.110(2); Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1040.13b(B)(2) (2019); Va. Code Ann. § 18.2386.2(A) (2019)). 1 Other states describe simply the intent to “harm” (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2917.211(B)(5) (West 2019); Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 21.16(b)(3) (West 2019)) or “harass” (Minn. Stat. § 617.261(2)(b)(5) (2018)). ¶ 104 In contrast, the legislatures of four states, including our General Assembly, have chosen not to expressly include “malice” as a distinct element of the offense. 720 ILCS 5/11-23.5 (West 2016); see also Wis. Stat. § 942.09 (2017-18); N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-9 (West 2019); Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, § 1335 (2017). 2 ¶ 105 We conclude that, although a malicious purpose is not expressly mandated, the breadth of section 11-23.5(b) is effectively limited by the five elements and conditions that define the prohibited conduct. First, a violation of section 11-23.5(b) requires proof of an intentional dissemination of a “private sexual image[ ].” 720 ILCS 5/11-23.5(b)(1)(C) (West 2016). Second, that image must consist of a “private sexual image[ ],” which depicts a person whose intimate parts are fully or partially exposed or visible or who is engaged in a sexual act. Id. § 11-23.5(a), (b)(1)(C). Third, the person portrayed in the image must be at least 18 years old and identifiable from the image or from information displayed with the image. Id. § 1123.5(b)(1)(A), (B). Fourth, the image must have been obtained under circumstances 1 Such statutes include those of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Vermont. Ala. Code § 13A-6-240(a) (2018); Alaska Stat. § 11.61.120(a) (2018); Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-1425(A)(3) (2018); Ark. Code Ann. § 5-26-314(a) (2018); Iowa Code § 708.7 (2019); Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6101(a)(8) (2018); Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 531.120(1)(a) (West 2019); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A, § 511-A(1) (2019-20); Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 3809(c)(1) (2018); Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.145e(1) (2019); Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.780(1) (2017); N.H. Rev. Stat. § 644:9-a(II)(a) (2018); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-190.5A(b) (2018); 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3131(a) (2018); 11 R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-3(a)(4) (2018); S.D. Codified Laws § 22-21-4 (2018); Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 2606(b)(1) (2018). 2 The Delaware statute requires a malicious purpose not as an element of the offense but rather as an aggravating factor in determining the penalty. - 33 -