What is Image-based Abuse?
Image-based abuse is the creation, sharing or threatened sharing of intimate, private or sexual images without a person's consent. This includes sharing intimate images without consent (sometimes referred to as 'revenge porn'), deepfake sexual imagery and other forms of image misuse intended to control, humiliate, intimidate or cause distress.
Examples of Image-based Abuse
- Sharing intimate or sexual images without consent
- Threatening to share intimate images to control, intimidate or coerce someone
- Creating or sharing deepfake sexual imagery
- Recording or photographing someone in a private or intimate situation without their knowledge or consent
- Distributing private images through social media, messaging apps or websites
- Altering or editing images to humiliate, sexualise or misrepresent someone
- Using intimate images to blackmail, extort or harass a person
- Repeatedly sending unwanted sexual images
- Sharing intimate images obtained during a relationship without consent
- Taking, storing or distributing intimate images without permission
Legal Actions
If you have experienced image-based abuse, several legal options may be available:
- Report it to the police. Sharing intimate images without consent, threatening to share them and certain forms of deepfake sexual imagery are criminal offences in the UK.
- Request content removal. Social media platforms and websites can often remove abusive content, and online safety laws place obligations on platforms to tackle non-consensual intimate images.
- Seek a civil remedy. In some cases, you may be able to take legal action through the civil courts and obtain an injunction or claim damages.
- Report deepfake sexual imagery. The creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images without consent may constitute a criminal offence.