Publications

‘DEVASTATING, LIKE IT BROKE ME’: RESPONDING TO IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE IN AOTEAROA IN NEW ZEALAND

Authors: Nicola Henry, Nicola Gavey, Clare McGlynn, and Erika Rackley

The non-consensual taking or sharing of intimate images, also known as ‘image-based sexual abuse’, has become a widespread problem. While there has been growing attention to this phenomenon, little empirical research has investigated victim-survivor experiences. Drawing on interviews with 25 victim-survivors, this article focusses on the different responses to image-based sexual abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand. We found that victim-survivors had diverse and often multiple experiences of image-based sexual abuse, perpetrated for a variety of reasons, which extended beyond the paradigm of malicious ex-partners seeking revenge. Some participants described the harms experienced as ‘devastating’: a form of ‘social rupture’. Few had formally reported to police or pursued other justice options. While participants held different justice ideals, all sought recognition of the harms perpetrated against them. Yet they faced multiple obstacles when navigating justice, redress and support options. The authors conclude that far-reaching change is needed to improve legislative, policy and prevention responses to image-based sexual abuse.

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IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE AS A MEANS OF COERCIVE CONTROL: VICTIM-SURVIVOR EXPERIENCES

Authors: Nicola Henry, Nicola Gavey, and Kelly Johnson

Scholars and practitioners increasingly acknowledge the ways that abusive partners create, distribute, or threaten to distribute intimate images without consent, yet little empirical research has comprehensively explored image-based sexual abuse within intimate partner contexts. This article responds to this gap and reports on the findings of a study involving interviews with 29 women and one gender-diverse person who experienced image-based sexual abuse as part of a pattern of “coercive control.” The authors argue that abusive partners use intimate imagery as a means of exerting power and control, and as a tactic of intimidation, entrapment, and degradation. They note that law, policy, and practice responses should recognize the gendered nature of image-based sexual abuse and its growing use as a means of coercive control.

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IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE

A STUDY ON THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENECES OF NON-CONSENSUAL NUDE OR SEXUAL IMAGERY

Authors: Nicola Henry, Clare McGlynn, Asher Flynn, Kelly Johnson, Anastasia Powell, Adrian J. Scott

This book investigates the causes and consequences of image-based sexual abuse. It focuses on a diversity of behaviours beyond that of “revenge porn”, such as the secret trading of nude or sexual images online; “upskirting”, “downblousing” and other “creepshots”; blackmail or “sextortion” scams; the use of artificial intelligence to construct “deepfake” pornographic videos; threats to distribute photographs and videos without consent; and the taking or sharing of sexual assault images. The book investigates the pervasiveness and experiences of these harms, as well as the different legal and non-legal measures that have been introduced to better respond to and prevent image-based sexual abuse.

The book draws on groundbreaking empirical research, including surveys in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom with over 6,000 respondents and over 100 victim-survivor and stakeholder interviews.

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DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY: A FEMINIST APPROACH

Authors: Nicola Henry, Stefani Vasil, Alice Witt

In an era of datafication, social networking and globalisation, “digital citizenship” has become an increasingly popular concept employed by many to promote digital capacity, literacy and participation. To date, however, limited scholarly attention has been paid to the role of gender power relations in digital citizenship discourses, theories or practices. In this paper, the authors argue that digital citizenship can be though of as: a status (what it means to be a citizen); a practice (what it means to act as a citizen); and an experience (what it means to be a citizen vis-à-vis other citizens). The authors argue that an intersectional, multi-layered, feminist approach to digital citizenship offers a valuable way to analyse gender subordination and exclusionary practices in digital societies, and to guide action that promotes a feminist democratic project of transformation and empowerment.

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GOVERNING IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE: DIGITAL PLATFORM POLICIES, TOOLS, AND PRACTICES

Authors: Nicola Henry, Alice Witt

This chapter, published in Bailey, Flynn and Henry’s (2021) The Emerald Handbook of Technology-Facilitated Violence and Abuse, examines the policies, practices and tools used by digital platforms to respond to the issue of image-based abuse. The chapter focuses on several types of digital platforms, including social media sites, search engines, image boards and pornography websites. The authors identify the following four shortcomings: (1) inconsistent, reductionist, and ambiguous language; (2) a stark gap between the policy and practice of content regulation, including transparency deficits; (3) imperfect technology for detecting abuse; and (4) the responsibilisation of users to report and prevent abuse. They argue that until platforms better address these problems, they risk failing victim-survivors of image-based sexual abuse and are implicated in the perpetration of such abuse.

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‘IT’S TORTURE FOR THE SOUL’: THE HARMS OF IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE

Authors: Clare McGlynn, Kelly Johnson, Erika Rackley, Nicola Henry, Nicola Gavey, Asher Flynn, Anastasia Powell

Drawing on findings from 75 interviews with victim-survivors of image based sexual abuse, across three different countries (Australia, New Zealand and the UK), this article details the harms that can stem from image based sexual abuse. These harms are identified as five interconnected experiences: social rupture; constancy; existential threat; isolation; and constrained liberty. The article sheds new light on the nature and significance of the harms of image-based sexual abuse and emphasises the need for more comprehensive and effective responses.

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SEEKING JUSTICE AND REDRESS FOR VICTIM-SURVIVORS OF IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE

Authors: Erika Rackley, Clare McGlynn, Kelly Johnson, Nicola Henry, Nicola Gavey, Asher Flynn, Anastasia Powell

Legislative and institutional responses to image-based sexual abuse have been ad hoc, piecemeal and inconsistent. In practice, victim-survivors are being consistently failed: by the law, by the police and criminal justice system, by traditional and social media, website operators, and by their employers, universities and schools. Drawing on surveys and interviews, the authors argue for a new joined-up approach that supports victim-survivors of image-based sexual abuse to “reclaim control”. They argue for a comprehensive, multi-layered, multi-institutional and multi-agency response, led by a government- and industry-funded online or e-safety organisation, which not only recognises the diversity of victim-survivor experiences and the intersection of image-based sexual abuse with other forms of sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination, but which also enables victim-survivors to reclaim control within and beyond the criminal justice system.

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ONLINE SAFETY BILL 2020 – Exposure Draft

Authors: Alice Witt, Georgina Dimopoulos, Nicola Henry, Stefani Vasil

This submission responds to the exposure draft of the 2020 Online Safety Bill (which will take effect as a new law in 2022). The authors express their broad agreement with the Bill to improve and promote online safety for Australians. They note that addressing the complex issues around harmful online content requires nuanced regulatory measures as well as careful and sustained participation by state and non-state actors. In their submission, they make high-level recommendations and provide comments on specific provisions, largely pertaining to the Image-Based Abuse and Adult Cyber-Abuse Schemes.

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THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE’S HARMFUL DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS (UNAUTHORISED POSTING OF INTIMATE VISUAL RECORDING) AMENDMENT BILL

Nicola Henry, Nicola Gavey, Clare McGlynn, Erika Rackley

This submission responds to proposals made by the New Zealand Parliament regarding new legislation to address the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. The authors express their support for the new law in New Zealand. They outline a set of recommendations on ways to improve wording, coverage and effectiveness. To support their submission and recommendations, the authors describe the key findings of their research in relation to surveys and interviews conducted with victim-survivors and stakeholders.

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