Academic rigour, journalistic flair
The picture of who is affected by ‘revenge porn’ is more
complex than we first thought
May 8, 2017 10.31am AEST
Tackling the harms of image-based abuse will require a combination of efforts. shutterstock
“Revenge porn” – the sharing of nude or sexual images without consent – has been
Authors
widely understood as the spiteful actions of a jilted ex-lover. As the term has gained
popularity, however, so too have understandings grown about the use of nude or
sexual images as a tool of abuse and control by perpetrators of domestic violence.
But according to our new research, image-based abuse affects many Australians
from across diverse communities and in different types of relationships. The picture
Anastasia Powell
Senior Research and ARC DECRA Fellow,
Justice and Legal Studies, RMIT University
is more complex than has previously been identified.
Key findings
Our recent survey of 4,274 Australians aged 16 to 45 found that 23% reported
having been a victim of image-based abuse.
Most common were sexual or nude images being taken of them without their
Asher Flynn
Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Monash
University
consent. 20% of those surveyed reported these experiences.
Also common was sexual or nude images being sent onto others or distributed
without consent. 11% of those surveyed reported these experiences.
Nicola Henry
Associate Professor & Vice-Chancellor's
Principal Research Fellow, RMIT University
Finally, 9% of survey respondents had experienced threats that a sexual or nude
image would be sent onto others or distributed without their consent.
Some groups in Australia were more likely than others to report having been a victim. One in two
Indigenous Australians, one in two Australians with a disability, and one in three lesbian, gay and
bisexual Australians reported having suffered image-based abuse victimisation.
Also, 30.9% of those aged 16 to 19, and 27% of those aged 20 to 29, reported having been a victim.
Impacts of image-based abuse
Our survey found victims were almost twice as likely as non-victims to report experiencing high levels of
psychological distress.
These impacts were highest for those who had experienced threats to distribute an image. 80% of these
people reported high levels of psychological distress, consistent with a diagnosis of moderate to severe
depression and/or anxiety disorder. This is a very important finding: it demonstrates the severity of the
harm associated with image-based abuse victimisation.
Many victims also reported they were “very” or “extremely” fearful for their safety as a result.
Feeling afraid for your safety is an important indicator of potential stalking and/or domestic violence
perpetration. Many legal definitions of stalking and abuse, such as for the purposes of an intervention or
protection order, require victims to fear for their safety.
Yet there were also important differences in fear experienced by women compared to men.
Gendered nature
Overall, our survey found both men and women were equally likely to report being a victim of imagebased abuse. This shows such abuse is not exclusively a form of gender-based violence.
However, there do appear to be some very important differences in the nature and impacts of such abuse
according to gender.
For example, the majority (54%) of victims reported the perpetrator was male. 33% of perpetrators were
female. 13% were either unknown or a mixed group of both male and female perpetrators.
Both men and women experienced the majority of abuse from known persons such as an acquaintance,
friend, or family member. Women (39%) were more likely than men (30%) to be victimised by an inti-
mate partner or ex-partner.
These gendered patterns are similar to other forms of violence and abuse, where both men and women
are most likely to experience abuse from male perpetrators, and where women are more likely than men
to experience abuse from an intimate partner or ex-partner.
Women victims were also more likely than men to report feeling afraid for their safety.
For example, for images taken without consent, 32% of women victims reported fear for their safety, as
compared to 23% of men. For images distributed without consent, 40% of women and 36% of men said
they felt afraid. For images threatened, 50% of women and 42% of men reported they felt fearful for
their safety.
Our survey has a key limitation: victims can only self-report their victimisation if they have become
aware that a sexual or nude image of them was either taken or distributed without their consent. One
only has to scratch the surface of content shared online to see there are many more sites and platforms
dedicated to sharing women’s nude or sexual images without their consent than men’s.
Identifying these sites and the ways in which they operate is an important avenue for future research. It
may shed further light on the gendered nature of image-based abuse.
Where to from here?
Tackling the harms of image-based abuse will require a combination of efforts.
Working alongside social media and website providers to better detect and remove material is vital to
improving responses. Improving legal protections and providing information and support services for
victims are also key priorities for reform. Information and support will need to cater to the different
experiences of the diverse Australian community.
But whether nude or sexual images are being taken or shared by an intimate partner or ex-partner, a
friend, family member or stranger, consent is crucial. That is what lies at the heart of this problem. It
will take a long-term prevention plan to promote a culture of consent and respect in the digital age.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on
1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Social media
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Gender
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Revenge porn
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