What is Image-Based Abuse?
Image-based abuse, sometimes also called intimate image abuse, is a serious form of abuse and involves three different types of behaviours someone may have experienced:
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An intimate/private/(semi)nude image has been taken without consent and/or knowledge (e.g. via a phone, a camera, a webcam etc.)
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An intimate/private/(semi)nude image has been shared without consent and/or knowledge (e.g. send on to someone who was not supposed to see it, published on the internet etc.)
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Someone was threatened to have an intimate/private/semi(nude) image shared (regardless of these images actually existing or not)
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Some have experienced one of these behaviours and others have experienced a combination of these.
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Some may have experienced a one-off incident or several incidents, or it may be continuously happening to a person.
What Kind of Images Does This Include?
Images can be photographs, videos, or gifs and show situations which can reasonably be considered private, intimate, or sexual. For example, it may show someone partially or fully nude; someone showering, someone engaging in a consensual sexual act; images taken up someone’s skirt or dress or down someone’s cleavage, or sexual assault or otherwise unwanted sexual acts.
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The images themselves might have been created consensually, meaning with permission, (e.g. within an intimate relationship) or non-consensually, meaning without permission, (through hidden devices; by altering images; stealing images off a phone or computer, during a sexual assault etc.).
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Images may be distributed using computers or smartphones, may have been shown to another person or send on to another person (e.g. via text, email, or social media), or were uploaded to the internet (including websites, blogs, social media etc.).
Do you have any examples?
A (ex) partner has uploaded your image to a website after a breakup or fight.
Someone is threatening you to send intimate images of you to your colleagues/workplace.
Someone has filmed up your skirt or dress or down your top while you were on public transport.
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.
You have received an unsolicited sexual image, for example a ‘dick pic’, out of the blue.
Someone has created a sexual image or video of you using Photoshop or other AI technology.
These are just some examples, and your experience might be similar or completely different
How many people does this affect and what are the consequences?
Based on studies conducted so far, it can be estimated that anywhere between 1.1% and 37% of adults have experienced at least one form of these behaviours. Anyone can be affected by such behaviours regardless of their gender, sexuality, disability, religion, race/ethnicity, etc.
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Image-based abuse can have serious short and long-term consequences. People who have experienced these behaviours may have experienced something negative as a result. For example, someone might have felt distressed, shameful, sad, angry, frightened, lonely, anxious, or depressed as a result. It might have also affected their relationship with others when friends and family withdraw from them or they withdraw from them. For some it might also have changed their relationship with technology or the internet such as deleting or pausing social media accounts or being on alert when using the internet. It might have also affected their education or work such as getting suspended or fired or they had to take a leave of absence.
Some might also be fine some days but feel overwhelmed about their experiences on other days. For some these negative consequences are experienced for a short time, for others a long time, and some experience something negative continuously. And some may experience none of these and it does not affect them in a negative way.
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Those who have experienced it may have talked to someone about what has happened such as their friends and family, a support worker, or even the police. Some people may have found talking about it difficult, and some may have found it beneficial.
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Regardless of how someone is impacted or reacts to such a situation, they are all valid experiences and it is important to listen to all voices.
Is this legal?
No, in Scotland, it is illegal to record, share, or threated to share intimate images of someone without their consent.
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For legal advice you may wish to contact Victim Support Scotland, Scottish Women’s Rights Centre, or the Revenge Porn Helpline.
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Follow the link below to find out more about Scottish laws and how to report an incident to the police.
Share Your Story!
if you want to share your story of having intimate images created or shared without consent or having been threatened to have images shared, & if you think you are eligible to take part in this research, or if you have any other questions for me, get in touch! You can email me or dm me on social media (links below)
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You only need to provide me with a name you would like me to call you and contact information so I can get back to you. You do not have to provide me with your real name. Many thanks for your interest! (: