What is Image-based Sexual Abuse?

Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is a form of sexual abuse where the perpetrator creates and/or shares sexually explicit images, videos, or audio of a person without their consent. It includes both self-generated images, images that were taken by the person depicted in the photo and originally distributed by them with the understanding or expectation that they will remain private, as well as non-consensual photographs taken by someone else without the permission of the person depicted. PAVE also includes the non-consensual distribution of sext messages and audio in our definition of image-based sexual abuse, as the non-consensual distribution of all intimate material is a sexual violation. 

The Problem with the Term “Revenge Porn”

The labels for this form of sexual abuse have varied over time, and image-based sexual abuse is a relatively new term. Some refer to it as non-consensual image distribution. However, the most widely recognized term for this type of sexual abuse is revenge porn, which actually has harmful and victim-blaming connotations. The term “revenge” implies that the victim-survivor did something wrong to deserve the sexual violence. The use of the term “porn” here implies that pornography can be non-consensual, which should never be the case.

Consensually Sending Nudes is Normal

As technology increasingly becomes a large part of our social lives, exchanging sexts is just another way that we engage with each other sexually. Sexting, the consensual exchange of explicit photos, video, or audio of oneself and/or explicit messages with a partner or partners, is something that an estimated 88% of U.S. adults have done at some point in their lifetime.¹ Despite how common the practice is, there is a lot of societal shame around sending nude images, meaning that it is likely more prevalent than research reports. In reality, sending nudes consensually is a normal and healthy expression of sexuality.

Non-Consensually Distributing Nudes is Sexual Violence

Some individuals may take advantage of others and share or view the content without their consent. Taking and sending nude images to one person consensually does not give permission for anyone to view it. Survivors of IBSA are not at fault and did not invite abuse by taking the photo. IBSA is far more common than we may think. 1 in 12 people in the U.S. report being victim-survivors of IBSA and 1 in 20 people in the U.S. report perpetrating IBSA.² Sending, receiving, and viewing nude images is as much of a sexual act as those involving physical contact. Engaging in a sexual act with someone without their consent is sexual violence, even on a screen.

Many people believe that because it happens on a screen, it is not real sexual abuse. In reality, our online experiences are real experiences, and consent doesn’t stop just because we’re online. Consent is about getting to dictate what happens to our own bodies and who engages in a sexual act with us. Viewing sexts or explicit images are sexual acts, and doing so without the consent of the person depicted is a violation of consent, and therefore a form of sexual violence.  If you or someone you know has been victimized by non-consensual image distribution, there are resources available to help.

Sources

1. Stasko, E.C., & Geller, P.A. (2015). Reframing Sexting as a Positive Relationship Behavior.
2. Ruvalcaba Y., Eaton A. A. (2019). Nonconsensual pornography among U.S. adults: A sexual scripts framework on victimization, perpetration, and health correlates for women and men. Psychology of Violence, 10(1), 68–78. [Google Scholar]

Support Is Available

National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country.

Phone: 800-656-4673
Chat: Click here to chat

Website

CCRI Image Abuse Helpline

If you are a victim of nonconsensual pornography (“NCP”, also known as “revenge porn”), recorded sexual assault (RSA), or sextortion and you reside in the United States, please call the CCRI Crisis Helpline.

Legislation: Find digital sexual abuse laws in the United States here

Phone: 844-878-2274

Website

StopNCII.org

StopNCII.org is a project operated by the Revenge Porn Helpline. It introduces innovative technology that is used by tech companies to help people by preventing sharing of specific intimate images.

Website