“Send nudes”: it’s a common request in the world of 21st-century dating, but one that can have seriously scary consequences. A survey of 4200 people by researchers from RMIT University and Monash University has found that one in five Australians have become victims of image-based abuse, including taking sexual or nude images without consent, the distribution of images without consent and the threat to share images—and people who share sexual selfies are most at risk of being exploited.
The terrifying trend doesn’t discriminate: women and men are equally likely to become victims (although the perpetrators are more commonly male), but minority groups are especially vulnerable. And it’s not just about “revenge”. “Images are being used to control, abuse and humiliate people in ways that go well beyond the ‘relationship gone sour’ scenario,” chief investigator, Dr Nicola Henry, said in a statement.
One in 10 people who had never taken a naked photo of themselves had been targeted. Image-based abuse also includes instances where webcams have been hacked, or images sourced from hacked email accounts.
And the numbers could be even higher, researcher Dr Asher Flynn, from Monash University, told news.com.au. “Our survey only captured those victims who had become aware their images had been distributed, whereas some victims may never discover that their images have been taken and distributed, particularly if they are circulated on sites located on the Dark Web,” she said.
“Social media providers and internet companies need to introduce strong and proactive measures that take seriously the harms of image-based abuse.”
As if discovering your naked selfie online wasn’t bad enough, there’s little you can do about it. Currently, only South Australia criminalise the distribution of an intimate image without consent. There are no specific federal laws, and no specific criminal offence exists in other Australian states.
Researchers are calling for law reform and better support for victims.
Have you ever been blackmailed by someone threatening to spread your intimate photos? Email us at marieclaire@pacificmags.com.au
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