Understanding Image-Based Abuse: Protecting Yourself Online
As smartphones and online activity become more common, the use of technology for violence and abuse has unfortunately risen. Safe+Sound Somerset has noticed a significant increase in these harmful behaviors.
Abusive behaviors take away someone’s right to make their own choices, set boundaries, and give and take-away consent. Using images and sexually explicit material to control someone has become so prevalent that victim’s services and rights groups are increasingly using the terms Image-Based Abuse (IAB) and Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IASB) to describe this specific subset of abusive behaviors.
IASB was defined in 2019 as “the non-consensual creation, distribution, and/or threat to distribute intimate or sexual materials” such as images, videos, or texts[i]. Image-Based Abuse includes:
- Taking nude or sexual images without consent or knowledge.
- Creating “deepfake” images or videos using AI to make explicit content.
- Distributing nude or sexual images without consent, often called revenge porn.
- Threatening to share explicit materials to force compliance, known as sextortion.
The True Nature of Image-Based Abuse
Image-based abuse is about control, not love or jealousy. It aims to make someone feel unsafe by violating their right to make decisions, set boundaries, and give and take away consent. It does not exist in a vacuum and often is used as a tool of other forms of violence including domestic violence, stalking, teen dating violence, and human trafficking.
Finding statistics on image-based abuse can be challenging. However, the Institute on Strangulation Prevention estimated in 2023 that up to 1 in 4 adults are victims of revenge porn, and that it is often perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Close to 2 of 3 victims report that the perpetrator was a current or previous romantic partner.[ii]
Image-based abuse can have lasting effects, with over 90% of victims experiencing significant emotional distress, feelings of powerlessness, and humiliation. [iii]
In New Jersey, image-based abuse is illegal and may fall under laws related to cyber harassment, stalking, and harassment. Special considerations need to be taken when the victims are minors. All sexually explicit materials of minors fall under child pornography, even if the images are “selfies” done with “consent.” Minors cannot legally consent to the creation or distribution of sexually explicit materials, and any images or videos like this should be immediately reported.
When it comes to sexually explicit material, true consent must be FRIES:
Freely given: You are not pressured or threatened.
Reversible: You can change your mind anytime.
Informed: You know how and where the images will be used.
Everyone is of age, awake, and sober: Minors cannot legally provide consent. Likewise, someone cannot give consent if they are asleep, unconscious, or under the influence of a substance.
Specific: Consent for each action, image, and distribution.
If you’ve experienced image-based abuse, you’re not alone.
Here’s how you can get help:
- Reach out to Safe+Sound Somerset’s 24/7 Call and Text Helpline at 866-685-1122.
- Document everything you can about your interactions with the perpetrator.
- Visit the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative Safety Center for help removing images online.
- Avoid contact with the perpetrator.
- Be cautious of companies offering to remove images for a fee—they may be scams.
- If you’re a minor, tell a trusted adult immediately.
Safe+Sound Somerset offers free, compassionate services for those affected by domestic violence, sexual abuse, and teen dating violence. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text our 24/7 Helpline at 866-685-1122. For more information, visit Safe+Sound Somerset.
[i] Paradiso MN, Rollè L, Trombetta T. Image-Based Sexual Abuse Associated Factors: A Systematic Review. J Fam Violence. 2023 Apr 25:1-24. doi: 10.1007/s10896-023-00557-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37358981; PMCID: PMC10126554.
[ii] https://www.strangulationtraininginstitute.com/revenge-porn-the-latest-research-and-law-enforcement-efforts/
[iii] Cyber Civil Rights Initiative: Nonconsensual Porn infographic. Jan 3, 2014. Available at: http://www.cybercivilrights.org/revenge-porn-infographic
