What is this research about?

Hello, my name is Julia, and I am a lecturer and doctoral researcher in Scotland. I investigate victim-survivors’ experiences with non-consensual taking, creating, sharing, threatening to share, & receiving intimate images in Scotland. With intimate we mean any nude, semi-nude, private, sexual, sexualised, or other images that may be experienced as an intrusion or violation. These behaviours are commonly referred to as image-based abuse though you may wish to not use this term.

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What is image-based abuse?

Image-based abuse involves differnt types of behaviours that you may have experienced relating to intimate images. This includes: Your image was taken without your consent (e.g. in a private or public space, filmed up your skirt or down your cleavage, when engaging in a consensual sexual act, during a sexual assault, you were pressured or coerced to take an image etc.) Your image was created without your consent (e.g. using Photoshop or AI software including ‘deepfakes’, screenshotting images without permission etc.) Your image was shared without your consent (e.g. uploaded online including websites and social media, sent on via messaging apps such as Whatsapp, shown to someone else, printed to be shared as physical copies etc.) Someone threatened to share your image (regardless of whether the image actually existed) You received or had to look at an unwanted image you did not consent to (e.g. unsolicited ‘dick pics’, unwanted pornographic material etc.)

Image-based abuse can look like...

A (ex) partner has uploaded your image to a website after a breakup or fight.

Someone is threatening you with sending your intimate image to your family, colleagues, workplace, etc.

Someone has filmed up your skirt or dress or down your top in public (e.g. a concert, on public transport, going up or down an escalator etc.)

Someone has hacked into your phone or computer and has secretly recorded you to then distribute your images.

You were filmed whilst being intimate with someone without being told and without giving your consent.

Someone has recorded your sexual assault and has uploaded it to social media, to a website, to a drive, or to (group) chats.

You have received or were shown an unsolicited sexual image, for example a ‘dick pic’ or pornographic material, you did not consent to

Someone has created a sexual image or video of you using Photoshop or other AI technology.

Someone took a video or photo of you on public transport and it made you uncomfortable

These are just some examples and your experience might differ.