ONLINE SAFETY AND IMAGE BASED SEXUAL ABUSE
What is online image based sexual abuse:
Image-based sexual abuse (sometimes referred to as ‘revenge porn’) is a criminal offence.
It’s when is when someone shares sexually explicit images or videos of another person without their consent, and with the aim of causing them distress or harm. It refers to materials that are shared both online and offline, and includes uploading images to the internet and social media channels, sharing by text and email, and showing someone a physical or electronic image or video.
Who can be a victim
Anyone can be affected by image-based sexual abuse, but the perpetrator will often be an ex-partner or person known to you. Image-based sexual abuse is a violation of privacy and people who have been targeted often feel humiliated, angry or depressed. You might feel too ashamed or embarrassed to report the crime to the police, but if you’ve experienced image-based sexual abuse it’s important to remember that you’re not to blame – only the offender is responsible for this crime taking place.
Who can support who's affected
Once someone has sexually explicit images or videos of you, it’s hard to control how they use them. Here are some tips to help you stay safe online:
- Even if you are in a relationship, think carefully before you share any sexual images with anyone, regardless of whether this is online, in person or via text message.
- Check your privacy settings on social media regularly to keep them up to date.
- Don’t share personal information or contact details online.
- Turn your webcam off when you are not using it.
If someone has posted explicit images of you online, report the incident to the website where the images were posted and ask for them to be removed. If you decide to report the crime to the police, try to keep evidence of the incident by taking a record and screenshots of any posts or messages.
If you need further advice on how to get explicit online material removed, contact the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0845 6000 459.
https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/campaign/online-harms-image-based-sexual-abuse/
Image-based sexual abuse is a widespread and devastating form of sexual abuse, which includes taking and/or distributing nude or sexual images without consent (including threats to do so). This in turn includes so-called ‘revenge porn’, ‘up- skirting’, fake-porn, sexual extortion and videos of sexual assaults and rapes.
Online abuse of women and girls is very real. We cannot separate our online and offline lives – our online experiences are real life. We should all be able to socialise, work, learn, get involved in activism or join a community online, free from the threat of abuse. But women and girls are having their rights and freedoms restricted online, and this issue is worsening. A problem of this magnitude must be named and tackled.
What is image-based abuse?
Image-based abuse (IBA) happens when an intimate image or video is shared without the consent of the person pictured.
This includes images or videos that have been digitally altered (using Photoshop or specialised software).
An intimate image is one that shows
- a person’s genital area or anal area (whether bare or covered by underwear)
- a person’s breasts (if the person identifies as female, transgender or intersex)
- private activity (for example a person undressing, using the bathroom, showering, bathing or engaged in sexual activity)
- a person without attire of religious or cultural significance if they would normally wear such attire in public
Image-based abuse is sometimes called other things like ‘revenge porn’, ‘intimate image abuse’ or ‘image-based sexual abuse’. ‘Revenge porn’ Is the term usually used in the media. But in many cases image-based abuse is not about ‘revenge’ or ‘porn’. Image-based abuse can happen for many reasons and can include many kinds of images and video.
If you have experienced image-based abuse, the most important things to remember are that it is not your fault and you are not alone.
^ PDF click for info
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-83982-848-520211054/full/html
Abstract
Remote learning Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center
The non-consensual taking or sharing of nude or sexual images, also known as “image-based sexual abuse,” is a major social and legal problem in the digital age. In this chapter, we examine the problem of image-based sexual abuse in the context of digital platform governance. Specifically, we focus on two key governance issues: first, the governance of platforms, including the regulatory frameworks that apply to technology companies; and second, the governance by platforms, focusing on their policies, tools, and practices for responding to image-based sexual abuse.
After analysing the policies and practices of a range of digital platforms, we identify four overarching shortcomings: (1) inconsistent, reductionist, and ambiguous language; (2) a stark gap between the policy and practice of content regulation, including transparency deficits; (3) imperfect technology for detecting abuse; and (4) the responsibilities of users to report and prevent abuse. Drawing on a model of corporate social responsibility (CSR), we argue that until platforms better address these problems, they risk failing victim-survivors of image-based sexual abuse and are implicated in the perpetration of such abuse. We conclude by calling for reasonable and proportionate state-based regulation that can help to better align governance by platforms with CSR-initiatives.
https://claremcglynn.com/imagebasedsexualabuse/ (Videos online)
A key focus of my work is on securing better laws and policies to challenge all forms of image-based sexual abuse – a term that refers to the non-consensual taking, making and/or sharing of intimate images without consent, including threats and ‘deepfakes’.
What is image-based sexual abuse? My early work with Erika Rackley developed the term ‘image-based sexual abuse‘ to better explain the nature and harms of these abuses and you can read more about this in our academic research and in this blog. We have argued for comprehensive legal changes to enable victim-survivors to seek justice, and for improved support and legal assistance to enable victims to reclaim control of their lives. We are currently participating in the Law Commission’s review of this area of law and you can read here our policy briefing and response to the consultation.
Our landmark report published in 2019 – Shattering Lives and Myths – identified legal and policy failings that must urgently be addressed. We interviewed over 50 victims and stakeholders across the UK to find out their experiences and recommendations for change, as part of larger project involving 75 victims and 6000 survey participants across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. More info here and in our book.
The report was launched in Parliament and you can read more about the report, public and media debate and my blog with Erika Rackley and Kelly Johnson.
EU Digital Services Act
I have recently worked with the charity HateAid and Prof Lorna Woods on proposals to hold large porn companies accountable for the non-consensual sexual imagery on their websites. We produced an expert opinion which justifies these measures.
Over recent years, I have worked closely with politicians, policy-makers and campaign groups to introduce new laws criminalising all forms of image-based sexual abuse – a term that includes