Revenge Porn Research Articles

Impact of online dating on the adolescent population: a brief review of the literature with special reference to the Indian scenario.

Online dating is becoming more and more popular not only among the adult population, but also among adolescents, which comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Adolescents are more vulnerable to a number of issues connected with online dating, including online grooming, bullying, emotional abuse, revenge porn, harassment, and lack of social interaction. We aimed to briefly review the available literature exploring the impact of online dating on adolescents, with special reference to the current Indian Scenario. A brief literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar in September 2022 with no date limits. Keywords included various combinations of terms such as online dating, dating applications, social media, mental illness, psychiatric disorders, adolescents, and mental health. Original studies and review articles exploring the impact of online dating on adolescents and published in English were reviewed in our work. A descriptive strategy was used to summarise the findings. The impact of online dating on adolescents is discussed in the light of (1) issues associated with online dating among adolescents, (2) the international context, and (3) Indian context. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, online dating has grown in popularity among adolescents, which has led to a number of worrying situations, including increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, dating violence, and mental health issues. All of these issues are described in the literature in the context of unsupervised use of technology, peer pressure, and desire to fit into the society. Data from India remain scarce on this topic, highlighting the need for research exploring the influence of online dating on adolescents.

Prevalence and risk factors for nonconsensual distribution of intimate images among Italian young adults: Implications for prevention and intervention

Nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (NCII), also known as revenge porn, has become a significant social issue in recent years, with severe consequences for victims. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of NCII victimization among young Italian adults, focusing on the role of sexting, intimate partner violence (IPV), impulsivity, and self-disclosure. An online survey was conducted among a sample of 2047 Italian young adults (F = 29.3 %, M = 53.4 %, Not Indicated=16.9 %; mean age = 24.4, SD = 4.4) using a convenience sample recruited through internet. The survey included questions on NCII victimization, sexting behavior, sextortion, and IPV. Our findings showed that 33.9 % of respondents reported engaging in sexting behavior, with females being three times more likely to engage in sexting than males. Furthermore, 3.3 % of participants reported being victims of NCII, with over one-third of victims experiencing three or more types of NCII victimization. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sexting and IPV were significant predictors of NCII victimization, and the interaction effect between self-disclosure and impulsivity was also a significant predictor. This study contributes to the understanding of NCII in Italy and highlights the need for interventions and prevention strategies to address both NCII and IPV, given their strong continuity. The results also suggest that the relationship between self-disclosure, impulsivity, IPV, and NCII victimization is complex and requires further investigation, suggesting a scenario where the climate of violence may impair the victim's decision-making.

Sexism in Greek Data: A Critical Language Proposal Based on a Multiliteracies Model

Despite attempts at gender equality in Western countries, male dominance persists. Gender-based violence (such as sexual harassment, abuse, rapes, homophobic attacks, revenge pornography, and gender-motivated murders) is in the spotlight as part of the larger phenomenon of sexism. Sexism combines a total of stereotypes that contribute (explicitly or implicitly) to the reproduction of discrimination based on gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation and are reflected in language use, attitudes, and practices that can lead individuals or groups to social exclusion. To detect and question sexism, we believe that the role of critical education is crucial. Thus, the aim of our study is to develop indicative critical language proposals following the multiliteracies model. This material is intended to enable students’ critical literacy to become aware of the (subtle) normative assumptions around gender and sexuality and critically reflect on the essentialist opposition between masculinity and femininity.

An elephant in the room—EU policy gaps in the regulation of moderating illegal sexual content on video-sharing platforms

Abstract With the availability of broadband internet and a significant increase in storage capacity, people are sharing a dynamically growing amount of multimedia content on video-sharing platforms, including sexually explicit content. While sexual content on the internet is not illegal per se and remains in the domain of economic services, there are certain forms of sexually explicit content that are criminally unlawful, such as child pornography or non-consensual pornography. This article explores why the current business-oriented regulatory environment fails to provide effective tools to combat illegal sexual content: first, from the perspective of content moderation on video-sharing platforms, and then from the perspective of substantive criminal law. After mapping the gaps in policy at all levels of content regulation, the article offers recommendations to address these issues, open up a policy debate and influence policy makers.

Can’t] Delete: an intervention in mainstream news media representations of image-based sexual abuse

Cases of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) – the creation or distribution of private sexual or nude images – are on the rise across the world and internet, but the public does not understand this issue as a form of sexual violence. This is due in part to the role of journalists and the news media as the first site where the general audience hears about new issues. Research into IBSA has not considered the role of the news media to educate the public, so this article seeks to explore this gap through the creation of an experimental work of journalism. The creative component is an interactive journalism feature hosted on a website that offers the audience opportunities to engage with victim perspectives within the context of an explanatory journalism article about IBSA. This approach seeks to be an example for future journalism about sexual abuse and improve public understanding of IBSA.

Image-based sexual abuse: Victim-perpetrator overlap and risk-related correlates of coerced sexting, non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, and cyberflashing

The advent of technology has dramatically changed the way sexual violence is perpetrated and experienced. Understanding the context of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) and risk factors associated with perpetration are key to effective prevention efforts. The present study explores three IBSA behaviours—coerced sexting, non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, and cyberflashing—to examine the degree of victim-perpetrator overlap and what risk factors from the extant sexual violence literature are relevant to each behaviour. Emerging adults (n = 541; 69% female, 31% male) were recruited from a local university in Nova Scotia and the broader community (not specific to Nova Scotia) and reported their perpetration and victimization experiences with the three forms of IBSA. Participants also completed measures relating to their offense-supportive attitudes, dark triad traits, sadism, sexual compulsivity, impulsivity, and substance use. Results indicated substantial victim-perpetrator overlap for non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and cyberflashing. Victim-perpetrators demonstrated a pattern of higher scores across all risk-related measures, the magnitude of which differed across IBSA behaviours. These findings suggest that the broader literature on sexual offending is relevant to understanding IBSA and fits with the wider literature that suggests overlap between victimization and perpetration.

The Role of Sexting on the Perception of Image-Based Sexual Abuse.

Gender-based violence is a widespread phenomenon that significantly impacts many women around the world. Among the different forms that it might take, image-based sexual abuse represents one of the most common forms nowadays. According to the literature, sexting-the sharing of sexually explicit messages or images-is one of the most important risk factors for image-based sexual abuse because sexts can be forwarded or published without the authorization of the originator. Nevertheless, sexting can play a role in sexual and relational development and serve as a first step in experimenting with sexual contact in real life. In this study (N = 603 from the general population), we examined the relations between people's beliefs about sexting, attitudes toward it, and sexting behavior on the one hand, and reactions to a situation of nonconsensual dissemination of sexts on the other hand. Results showed that social pressure exerted by peers and partners to sext was associated with both positive attitudes toward sexting and sexting behaviors. Attitudes toward sexting, then, have a spillover effect on the reactions toward a victim of nonconsensual dissemination of sexts, in terms of empathy, victim blaming, and affective reactions. Implications for both research and policymaking regarding this form of gender-based violence are discussed.

Child sexual abuse images and youth produced images: The varieties of Image-based Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children

Background and objectiveThis paper presents a categorization of sexual image crimes and abuse that occur against children, and it compares their frequency, dynamics, and emotional impact. ParticipantsA national sample of 2639 respondents aged 18-to-28 disclosed 369 childhood episodes involving a variety of image abuse. MethodsOnline self-administered questionnaire. ResultsThe analysis classified the cases into five incident types: 1) adult made images (child sexual abuse images), 2) images non-consensually made by other youth, 3) voluntarily provided self-made images that were non-consensually shared by other youth, 4) voluntarily provided self-made images non-consensually shared by adults, and 5) voluntarily provided self-made images to adults that entailed an illegal age difference or were part of a commercial transaction. We propose to refer to this aggregation of types as Image Based Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (IBSEAC). Only 12 % of the image episodes qualified as adult produced, child sexual abuse images. Such adult produced image experiences were also not higher in negative emotional impact than the youth produced images. Only 10 % of the episodes involved images of children under age 13. ConclusionThe study highlights the predominance of youth made sexual images among the image exploitation and abuse affecting youth according to self-report. It also highlights the difference between what victim surveys reveal about the problem and what is inferred from police record studies.

A Qualitative Study of How Israeli Arab Educational Counselors Handle Image-Based Sexual Abuse of Female Adolescents.

Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) refers to the nonconsensual production, dissemination, or threat of dissemination of private sexual images of another. Arabs belong to a conservative society where the distribution of a nude photo constitutes a violation of the dignity of the family and may have serious consequences. Based on semistructured in-depth interviews, the present study examined how 32 Arab educational counselors in Israel handle IBSA. Findings suggest that counselors identified the victim as experiencing difficulties that allowed her to be harmed. Also, it was found that counselors were afraid it might harm the victims on the grounds of family honor. These findings indicate that it is necessary to find culturally sensitive solutions both for the prevention and treatment of this phenomenon.

Prevalence and Impact of Revenge Pornography on a Sample of Portuguese Women

Victims of revenge pornography (RP) suffer long-term psychological, personal, and social consequences, given that the spread of explicit content may continue to disturb them throughout their lives. However, there is a scarcity of studies on this phenomenon in Portugal. The present study aims to identify the prevalence of RP and analyze its impact on self-esteem, humiliation, depression, and anxiety, and compare victims and non-victims of RP on these same variables. The sample comprises 274 Portuguese women aged between 18 and 82. The data was collected through an online protocol consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Humiliation Inventory, and the Brief Symptoms Inventory. From the total sample, 45 (16.4%) participants reported at least one experience of RP. RP victims reported higher levels of humiliation, anxiety, and depression and lower levels of self-esteem than non-victims. However, only humiliation distinguished RP victims and non-victims. RP is a growing phenomenon enhanced by the intensified use of technology. Along with this phenomenon comes the impact on victims, which has long-term consequences. This study contributes to the scientific community since the scientific study of RP and its impact on victims is still incipient.

Revenge Porn: Digital Crimes and Implications for Victims

In today's digital era, problems related to cybercrime are increasing, one of which is "Revenge Porn". Revenge porn refers to deliberately distributing pornographic content without the consent of the person seen in the content, often done by ex-spouses as a form of revenge. Due to the easy access and dissemination of information through the internet, revenge porn has become a threat to many individuals, especially women. Victims of this act often face social stigmatization, isolation, and depression. The stigma attached to victims affects their social and work lives, hampering their opportunities in many aspects of life. This research utilizes normative legal methods by adopting statutory, conceptual, comparative, and futuristic approaches. The nature of this research is descriptive-prescriptive. The data that has been collected is analyzed using the content analysis method. This research results in that apart from psychological and social impacts, and revenge porn also has legal implications. Some countries have responded by implementing specific laws to address this issue, but the challenge is distinguishing between the right to freedom of expression and invasion of privacy. Understanding this issue is essential for victims and society to build awareness and prevent the spread of this kind of digital crime. People can protect themselves and others from the dangers of revenge porn with proper understanding and preventive measures.Keywords: Revenge Porn, Digital Crime, Psychological Impact, Social Stigmatization.

Adolescent experiences of sexting: A systematic review of the qualitative literature, and recommendations for practice.

Sexting among adolescents continues to garner interest across disciplines due to its prevalence in the lives of young people and the potential for extremely negative outcomes associated with the behavior. The present review aimed to integrate the existing qualitative research on adolescent sexting experiences, to provide empirically-supported recommendations for professionals working with adolescents. A search of four databases relating to adolescent experiences of sexting was conducted, resulting in the inclusion of 28 studies in the review. Quality appraisal of these studies was completed in line with the Critical Appraisal Skills Profile qualitative checklist. Major themes in the qualitative studies were synthesized to generate recommendations for professionals. These recommendations are categorized as (a) "proactive" (enhancing positive and contextualized education and attempting to mitigate the likelihood of young people having negative experiences with sexting), (b) "responsive" (management of disclosures of distressing experiences with sexting, including image-based sexual abuse [IBSA]), and (iii) "clinical" (increasing awareness among clinicians of pertinent issues concerning intervention with young people who are engaging in sexting, or who have been victimized by IBSA). The qualitative literature was found to provide rich insight into adolescent experiences of sexting, thus allowing for the generation of evidence-based recommendations which are consistent with young peoples' own interests and preferences. Limitations in the existing literature base were discussed (e.g., lack of specificity in methodological reporting), and suggestions were given for future research (including the need to explore sexting experiences of LGBTQ + adolescents in more depth).

Mainstreaming state auxiliary agency to handling revenge porn victims in Indonesia, 2020-2021

The state responded to the issue of violence against women by establishing an independent state agency, namely National Commission on Violence against Women. However, National Commission on Violence against Women faced numerous obstacles in its handling of cases, particularly regarding gender-based violence online, which had become the most discussed topic, and the largest case was revenge porn type in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the authority of National Commission on Violence against Women in handling victims of revenge porn in Indonesia from 2020-2021. This study utilized theories of authority, state auxiliary organs, government administration, and revenge porn. The method used in this study was qualitative with a descriptive qualitative approach because the researcher wanted to describe the phenomenon found regarding National Commission on Violence against Women handling of the surge in revenge porn cases. Data collection techniques included observation, interviews, documentation, and a literature review conducted at National Commission on Violence against Women. The results of this study, viewed from the theory of authority, could be reviewed in terms of regulation, management, and supervision, it indicating that National Commission on Violence against Women had implemented its mandate in accordance with applicable Presidential Decrees. However, the process still faced many challenges, such as regulations, budget allocation, and access. National Commission on Violence against Women implemented various programs to address these challenges, including annual reports, publication and documentation, learning forums, monitoring, campaigns, and advocacy, and these programs were carried out by enhancing cooperation among government institutions, NGOs, and the public.

Preventing image-based sexual coercion, harassment and abuse among teenagers: Girls deconstruct sexting-related harm prevention messages

ABSTRACT This paper explores teenage girls’ responses to general advice, and formal prevention messages, designed to reduce sexting-related risk and prevent harm. We conducted workshops with seven groups of girls (28 in total), aged 16–17 years, in a New Zealand city. Each group participated in a series of three workshop sessions. Drawing on a Freirean ‘problem-posing’ approach, we designed the workshops as spaces in which girls were invited to observe and critically discuss norms related to sharing nudes as well as harm prevention messages. Girls noticed the problematic gender and sexual politics that shape abstinence-based models that target girls (implicitly) to not send nudes, but which leave boys who distribute or otherwise misuse them out of the picture. Participants navigated a careful path between attending to risk and protection on the one hand, and endorsing their right to freedom of expression on the other. We argue for a subtle, but significant, shift away from a focus on sexting safety to a focus on the prevention of image-based sexual coercion, harassment and abuse. This reframing would help to direct prevention efforts to the gendered drivers and dynamics of harm perpetration, and the ways in which they are problematically socially ignored or condoned.

Image-Based Sexual Abuse Associated Factors: A Systematic Review

PurposeImage-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA) is a recently studied form of violence and abuse perpetrated using technology. This systematic review aims to examine and systematize studies exploring factors associated with IBSA (e.g., victimization, perpetration, and propensity to perpetrate).MethodFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement, 17 articles were included.ResultsThe results of this study highlighted conceptual and methodological limitations in the literature on IBSA. Aside from these limitations, this systematic review identified factors associated with IBSA, focusing on four macro-areas: victimization, perpetration, propensity to perpetrate IBSA, and IBSA implications. The results demonstrated the role of psychological, relational, and social variables, although the effect sizes observed in the quantitative studies were small or in few cases moderate.ConclusionsThese results suggest further research should be carried out to explore the multidimensionality of IBSA and its associated factors, which may assist in guiding interventions to promote preventive and rehabilitative methods to lower the prevalence of this crime and its consequences.

Nonconsensual Dissemination of Sexual Images Among Adolescents: Associations With Depression and Self-Esteem.

The nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images is a form of image-based sexual abuse that is relatively common among adolescents. However, literature on this issue with adolescent samples is relatively scarce. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating how this phenomenon varies based on gender and sexual orientation, along with its association with depression and self-esteem. Participants were 728 secondary school students in Sweden (50.4% girls and 46.4% boys; 14.4% lesbian, gay, bisexual [LGB+]) aged from 12 to 19 years (M = 14.35, SD = 1.29). A survey was administered during school hours, including a measure assessing the nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images, the short version of the Moods and Feelings Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale. Results showed that LGB+ participants were more likely to indicate that they were victimized compared to their heterosexual peers, while no differences were observed for gender. Being the target of nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images was positively associated with depression, whereas no significant associations were yielded for self-esteem. Based on the findings from this study, we suggest raising adolescent awareness in relation to the nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images as a form of sexual abuse that can have detrimental effects on those who are targeted. Such educational programs should be inclusive of sexual minority adolescents, as they are at a particular risk of being the target of nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images. Psychological support should be provided to the targets of this form of abuse, through both school and online counseling. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs while recruiting diverse samples.

Criminalising Deep Fake Pornography: A Gender-Specific Analysis of Image-Based Sexual Abuse

Criminalising Deep Fake Pornography: A Gender-Specific Analysis of Image-Based Sexual Abuse

Behavioral Intentions of Bystanders to Image-Based Sexual Abuse: A Preliminary Focus Group Study with a University Student Sample

ABSTRACT Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) represents a form of technology-facilitated sexual abuse that encompasses the taking, creating, and/or sharing (including threats to share) of nude or sexual images without consent. Unlike physical sexual violence contexts, little is known regarding if and how bystanders intervene in IBSA contexts. The current preliminary study aimed to address this gap in the literature. Specifically, seven focus groups with a sample of 35 university students (31 females, 4 males) were conducted to explore how they think they would behave (i.e., their behavioral intentions) if they were bystanders to three different IBSA scenarios: non-consensual taking, non-consensual sharing, and threatening to share nude or sexual images. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis and the following themes were identified: perpetrator-centered action, victim-centered action, justice-centered action, and intervention as a well-informed and controlled process. Participants discussed how they would intervene by approaching the perpetrator, either in a confrontational or non-confrontational way, or approach the victim to inform them of what was happening, provide advice, or to support them. They also discussed involving the police. However, some group members were against these forms of intervention, particularly approaching the perpetrator and involving the police. Finally, many participants indicated that their actions need to be well-informed. These findings highlight a wide range of bystander actions in IBSA contexts that have implications for the development of policies, educational materials, and measures of bystander intervention behavior in future research.

Image-Based Sexual Abuse: Online Gender-Sexual Violations

Image-based sexual abuse describes the offline or online non-consensual sharing of real or fake images or videos with (un)known others of a person that are either sexually explicit or sexually suggestive. New information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide many open-ended and undefined possibilities for image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), such as ‘revenge pornography’, ‘upskirting’, deepfake pornography, sexual spycamming, and cyberflashing, to name just a few. These forms of abuse refer to the online, and also at times offline, non-consensual distribution or sharing of explicit images or videos of someone else by ex-partners, partners, others, or hackers seeking revenge, entertainment, or peer group status. The vast majority of these are committed by men against women. Given the many adverse impacts on physical and psychological health and well-being it has on its victim-survivors, exploring this form of online gender-sexual abuse and violation becomes an important endeavor. Situating the discussion within debates on gender and sexuality, the entry discusses the increasing use of new technologies for online gender-sexual abuse and violation, highlighting the motivations of those perpetrating IBSA, the negative physical and psychological impacts of IBSA on victim-survivors, and what has been, and could be, done to combat image-based sexual abuses and other misuses of new technologies, notably through legal, policy, and practice interventions within and between nations.

“The abuse explains why I am a certain way”: post-abuse disclosures in romantic relationships

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of an exploratory study that investigates the goals, characteristics, and relational effects of disclosure following experiences of relational abuse and image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) in a current relationship that the survivors (n = 85) would characterize as not abusive using a multiple goals framework. Findings suggest that the overwhelming majority (93%) of survivors did disclose, to some extent, their experience of relational abuse to a current partner. Less than half of the sample (45.9%) experienced IBSA, and a smaller majority of that portion of the sample did disclose it to a partner to some extent (64%). Content of the conversations and disclosures focused on how the participant felt about the abuse, rather than the specific details, triggers, and mental health impacts, everything about the abusive experience, and a focus on partner reactions. Despite the results of the qualitative analyses characterizing these disclosures as both relationally impactful and contingent on the type and severity of relational abuse, both correlation and regression analyses did not support a significant relationship between type and severity and abuse and extent of disclosure. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.