Revenge Porn Research Articles

Disclosure Decisions and Help-Seeking Experiences Amongst Victim-Survivors of Non-Consensual Intimate Image Distribution

ABSTRACT The non-consensual dissemination of intimate images (NCII) is a form of technology-facilitated, image-based sexual abuse. Despite causing significant harm, research indicates a reluctance to seek support. Thus, this study aimed to develop practitioner recommendations for improving support accessibility by exploring NCII victim-survivors’ disclosure decisions and experiences of accessing support. Thematic Analysis of 31 UK adult victim-survivor interviews revealed informal support was favored, although some did not disclose to anyone. Disclosure responses ranged from supportive to judgmental. Barriers to help-seeking included stigma and perceiving formal support services as inaccessible. Recommendations for improving formal support accessibility such as service visibility, education and inclusive practices are discussed.

Untangling the Tangle of Revenge Porn in the United States: A Comparative Study

This research examines the phenomenon of revenge porn in the legal context of the United States and identifies important lessons for Indonesia. Using a multifaceted approach, this research explores legal definitions, sentencing, and protections for victims in various US states, as well as exploring the psychosocial impact of revenge porn on victims. 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. The study found that there is significant variation in laws and approaches to handling revenge porn among states, reflecting differences in social values and legal priorities. For example, states such as California, New York, and Texas feature different definitions and penalties, as well as varying levels of protection for victims. Indonesia can draw valuable lessons from formulating its own legal strategy for this phenomenon. This research suggests the importance of specific legislation that clearly defines revenge porn, a flexible sentencing system that considers the context of individual cases, and strong psychosocial support for victims

“Nothing will stop the sluts now”: Analysing women's support for image-based abuse websites on social media

The abrupt closure of a popular website which hosted image-based abuse in April 2012 triggered a robust social media response. Most posts on Twitter expressed a positive opinion about Is Anyone Up? ( IAU) and its “revenge porn” business model. These tweets were not just posted by men, with around one-third of the 2,967 tweets about the website on the day of its closure linked to the profiles of women. This article assesses the 1,030 tweets posted about IAU by identifiably female accounts in the 12 hours after the website shutdown. It assesses the levels of support for image-based abuse among women and compares the nature of this support with responses of Twitter users who are identifiably male, or those whose gender could not be determined. It considers factors such as the impact of online disinhibition on the prevalence of online mockery, especially within pre-existing misogynistic frames observable on social media. It also discusses the perception among women that image-based abuse served as an informal control on sending “nudes” and, on that point, how women were divided as to whether the closure of the site should be treated as a positive or negative development.

Development and Validation of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Perpetration and Victimization Scales Among Adults.

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) includes different forms of digital violence, such as online gender-based violence, online gender- and sexuality-based violence, digital sexual harassment, online sexual coercion, and nonconsensual pornography. The aim of this study was to design and validate a measure to assess the perpetration and victimization of each dimension of TFSV. The relationships between the different dimensions and differences by gender and sexual orientation were also analyzed. The participants were a sample of 2,486 adults (69% women) from Spain, aged between 16 and 79 (M = 25.95; DT = 9.809) years. The Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Scales were found to be valid and reliable instruments, supporting our recommendation for the use of these scales. Network analysis and solution-based exploratory factor analyses showed that the dimensions of online sexual coercion and nonconsensual pornography clustered together. All the perpetration variables were related to sexism. Finally, cis women and nonheterosexual people reported higher victimization scores overall compared to cis men and heterosexuals, respectively, while cis men reported higher perpetration scores overall than cis women.

Contexts and Characteristics of Imaged-Based Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children: Incident Dynamics in a National Sample.

This paper describes incident characteristics and dynamics associated with six specific forms of image-based sexual exploitation and abuse of children (IBSEAC). Data were collected on a national sample of 2639 individuals aged 18-to-28 from a probability-based online panel. Respondents completed a self-administered survey questionnaire, providing detailed follow-up information on their experiences of image-based sexual victimization before the age of 18. A total of 607 incidents of IBSEAC were included in the analyses. Findings show substantial diversity in incident characteristics within and across the six forms of IBSEAC (nonconsensual sharing of sexual images, nonconsensual taking or making of images, forced image recruitment, threatened sharing, voluntary image sharing with an older adult, and commercial sexual exploitation involving images). Some notable patterns include frequent involvement of perpetrators who are other youth or young adults, who are known in-person to the victim, and who are intimate partners. The diversity and complexity of dynamics revealed in this study underscores the need for careful design and evaluation of prevention programs and the core messages directed at youth.

Technology as a Threat or a Solution? The Challenges of Responding to Synthetic Media

Abstract Synthetic media – defined as text, audio, images, and video content or entire 2D or 3D environments generated by AI-enabled tools – are currently at the center of public attention. While benevolent applications of such technologies abound, the negatives attract significantly more debate. While some of such uses tap into existing fears of disinformation and related threats, others pertain to qualitatively new harms, such as non-consensual synthetic pornography. Of particular note is synthetic media’s capacity to democratize content creation, for better or worse. Ultimately, such concerns lead to calls for policing synthetic media in terms of its automatic detection and removal. Nevertheless, such reliance on technological solutions has at least two undesirable effects: first, further concentration of power in the hands of online platforms and other technology companies and, second, ignorance of the underlying causes of nefarious uses of synthetic media. In this sense, generation of harmful content is best seen not as a standalone problem but as a symptom of underlying deeper – cultural – trends. As part of seeking a solution, this article traces some of the roots of nefarious synthetic content, ranging from non-consensual pornography to disinformation to toxic masculinity cultures and the insecurities atttendant to it.

POTENSI KEKERASAN GENDER BERBASIS ONLINE PADA PENYALAHGUNAAN TEKNOLOGI KECERDASAN BUATAN BAGI PEREMPUAN DI MEDIA

This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods and data collection techniques in the form of literature studies. Research results: apart from providing convenience, artificial intelligence technology also has negative impacts, one of which is related to online gender violence against women, including harassment and intimidation. AI can be used to automate online attacks such as verbal harassment, threats or intimidation, for example through chatbots used to send derogatory messages to women repeatedly, thereby creating an unsafe atmosphere in cyberspace. AI can also be misused in the distribution of revenge porn images and videos by digitally manipulating images or videos of women, so that they can be used as a tool to blackmail or humiliate them. AI can also be used to monitor female victims' online behavior, for example social media stalking and exploiting that information to carry out further attacks. Women who are victims of online gender violence often experience stigma and serious psychological impacts, such as anxiety disorders, depression and social isolation. Conclusion: collaboration between governments, online platforms, human rights activists and civil society is urgently needed to address the problem of online gender violence and its impact on women. Education and awareness about the threats associated with online gender violence is urgently needed.

Facilitators and Barriers of Bystander Intervention Intent in Image-Based Sexual Abuse Contexts: A Focus Group Study with a University Sample.

Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) encompasses the taking, sharing, and/or threatening to share nude or sexual images of others without their consent. The prevalence of IBSA is growing rapidly due to technological advancements, such as access to smartphones, that have made engagement in such activities easier. Bystanders offer an important means of intervention, but little is known about what facilitates or inhibits bystander action in these contexts. To address this gap in the literature, seven focus groups (n = 35) were conducted to explore the factors that facilitate and inhibit bystander action in the context of three different IBSA scenarios (taking, sharing, and making threats to share nude or sexual images without consent). Using thematic analysis, eight themes were identified, suggesting that the perceived likelihood of intervention increased with greater feelings of responsibility, empathy with the victim, reduced feelings of audience inhibition, greater feelings of safety, greater anger toward the IBSA behavior, closer relationships with the victim and perpetrator, the incident involving a female victim and male perpetrator, and perception of greater benefits of police involvement. These findings are considered alongside the physical sexual violence literature in highlighting the similarities and nuances across the different contexts. Implications for the development of policies and educational materials are discussed in relation to encouraging greater bystander intervention in IBSA contexts.

Image-Based Sexual Abuse: A Study on the Causes and Consequences of Non-Consensual Nude or Sexual Imagery, Nicola Henry, Clare McGlynn, Asher Flynn, Kelly Johnson, Anastasia Powell, Adrian J. Scott

Image-Based Sexual Abuse: A Study on the Causes and Consequences of Non-Consensual Nude or Sexual Imagery, Nicola Henry, Clare McGlynn, Asher Flynn, Kelly Johnson, Anastasia Powell, Adrian J. Scott

“Snapping, sharing and receiving blame”: A systematic review on psychosocial factors of victim blaming in non-consensual pornography

Non-consensual pornography has become a growing concern, with potentially negative consequences for the victims. Victims of revenge porn are more likely to be blamed, and understanding why and how blame is attributed toward victims of non-consensual pornography is crucial to support them and reduce the negative consequences. This study aimed to explore and synthesize the existing evidence on victim blaming in non-consensual pornography and the underlying psychosocial factors within the context of attribution framework. A comprehensive systematic review was conducted across four databases namely PubMed, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Scopus for English-language studies published from April 2012 to June 2022. Data from the selected studies were extracted and collated into the review matrix. Among the 22 full-text reviews, 10 records that met the eligibility criteria were included in the final review. Two themes namely “Culture and morality” and “gendered differences in attributions of blame” were derived from a thematic synthesis of 10 studies and reflected the psychosocial underpinnings of victim blaming. The review highlighted how cultural narratives and perceived immorality play a major role in how attributions are placed on self or others for victim blaming in “non-consensual pornography.” Blame attributions emerging from gender stereotyping and gendered responsibilization within cultural and societal contexts were found to impact self-blame and compound victimization in non-consensual pornography. The study findings implicated that recognizing psychosocial underpinnings of victim blame attribution in revenge porn would allow for evolving suitable legislative and policy responses for designing effective educative and preventative strategies.

Copyright: an effective remedy against image-based sexual abuse in the UK

Copyright: an effective remedy against image-based sexual abuse in the UK

Revenge Porn: On the Problem of Linguistic Analysis of Pornographic Content

The paper discusses the problem of forensic analysis of pornographic information in revenge porn situation (non-consensual public placement of materials of sexual explicit content). The paper presents a list of social practices related to revenge porn, specifies the participants of the communicative act (actor, addressee- person caught on camara, addressee-reference group, addressee-third-party participant), determines the intentional component of the actor's communicative activity, gives a list of the actor's communicative goals in conditions of multiple addressee-targeting . The features of the recontextualization of pornographic material are revealed. A weak dependence of pornographic discourse on extralinguistic background is established. It is noted that in the situation of revenge porn sexual explicit information is subjected to recontextualization, which makes it difficult to establish linguistic (semiotic) signs of pornographic information in forensic analysis. It is established that under the conditions of the transfer of a sexual explicit text into a conflict-triggering context, pornographic meanings are preserved. At the same time, the actualization of the taboo aspect of sexual interaction underlies the transformation of the emotive potential and determines the nature of the relationship between the participants in the communicative situation. The authors conclude that in order to establish the linguistic features of sexual explicit information, it is necessary to decontextualize the text submitted for forensic research. Analysis of the distribution context is necessary to establish the extralinguistic background of the actor's communication activity.

Disability is no laughing matter. A critical discourse analysis of disability mockery on social media in Brazil

ABSTRACT There is a growing body of literature addressing the surge of different types of online harassment (e.g. hate speech, misogyny, racism, religious intolerance, cyberbullying, revenge porn, homophobia, etc.). Yet, despite the undeniable contribution brought by this literature, there is still another aspect that remains underexplored. That is, the interplay between politically motivated hate speech and disability. Furthermore, the potential harm and adverse societal impacts of this type of manifestation can be amplified when triggered by extremist far-right political discourses. Thus, to examine this phenomenon and unpack the embedded meaning of this type of social media discourse, the present study develops a critical discourse analysis on a sample of 160 comments publicly available on YouTube belittling the current Brazil president’s disability (who lost a finger during his youth). The investigation reveals that many social media users find amusement in somebody else’s disability. However, mocking this condition represents a way to remove a person’s value and reduce them solely to their physical or mental impairment, independently of the level of severity. Ultimately, this sort of discursive strategy objectifies the individual, disregards the disability condition and turns them into a laughable object.

REVENGE PORN IN INDONESIAN HIGHER EDUCATIONS: GENDER-BASED PERSPECTIVE

The advances in information and communication technology have many benefits for everyone in everyday life. The use of the internet to surf information by the Indonesian people is extremely high, including universities students. The convenience provided by smartphones to many groups is also inseparable from the negative impact that stalks internet users (social media) in Indonesian universities in the form of online sexual violence. Along with the massive spread of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2021, this negative impact has been transformed into the form of online gender-based sexual violence on various campuses. Revenge porn is the spreading of sexual information that is displayed in the form of pictures, photos or videos. Revenge porn is included in cases of sexual violence, where the victims are not only women but also men, can also become victims of the revenge porn act. These actions have been widely carried out to make victims famous by dropping victims psychologically and physically. This phenomenon has finally caused polemics both internally and externally on campus in responding to the challenges of the high number of online gender-based sexual violence cases. The purpose of this study is to examine the social, cultural, legal, and political aspects of the high number of revenge porn cases in universities in Indonesia.

The role of gender and sexism in the moral disengagement mechanisms of technology-facilitated sexual violence

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) encompasses various harmful online behaviors, such as online gender-based hate speech, online gender-based violence, digital sexual harassment, image-based sexual abuse, and online sexual coercion. This study aimed to examine how moral disengagement varies based on the type of TFSV, and the factors influencing moral disengagement in TFSV situations. Specifically, the impact of participant gender, participant sexist beliefs, and victim–perpetrator gender was assessed. A total of 2950 respondents (70.3% women) between the ages of 16 and 79 (M = 26.33, SD = 10.09) participated in a vignette study in which the variables of interest (TFSV type, victim-perpetrator gender) were manipulated. The findings revealed that moral disengagement levels varied across different types of TFSV, with higher levels observed in cases of online gender-based hate speech, followed by online gender-based violence, digital sexual harassment, image-based sexual abuse, and online sexual coercion. Moreover, the results indicated that sexist beliefs, participant gender (i.e., being a man), and situations involving a woman perpetrator and a man victim were associated with greater moral disengagement. Additionally, it was found that sexist beliefs play a more significant role in moral disengagement for women than for men. This information, which emphasizes the role of gender socialization and sexist beliefs in the justification and normalization of this type of violence, is important for the development of prevention programs.

The Ethics of Viewing Illegally Shared Pornography

ABSTRACTI argue that the consumption of illegally shared pornography is often morally problematic. My argument is not based on any general condemnation of pornography or even illegal content sharing as such. Instead, my argument emphasizes that commercial pornography that is illegally shared risks violating the consent and thus the dignity of its performers. In this way, illegally shared pornography is akin to ‘revenge porn’, involving the non‐consensual distribution and consumption of sexually intimate images or videos. The idea is that if viewing sexually explicit content shared without the permission of the people featured within it is unethical, then the same is often true of the consumption of commercial pornographic content that has been shared illegally. My primary focus is on the commercial pornography produced and distributed by the performers themselves, but I also consider the moral status of more traditional forms of pornographic content.

Gaya Hidup Berisiko melalui Aktivitas Revenge Porn dalam Konteks Korban Toxic Relationship di Media Sosial

The revenge porn is closely related to toxic relationships which is a part of Online Gender-BasedViolence (KBGO) which does not recognize by gender and has been widespread in the last fewyears on social media. Using a qualitative research method and descriptive approach, the authorscollect data by observing and interviewing victims of toxic relationships in the practice of revengeporn on social media. The analysis was carried out from a victimological perspective by using thelifestyle exposure theory to see if the victim's involvement from the role and lifestyle in supportingthem to be indicated being victims. The conclusion of this research is someone can potentiallybecome a victim of revenge porn in toxic practices because they take advantage of the victim'sweaknesses when the two of them are still in a dating relationship through an indication process. Inaddition, someone has the potential to become a victim of revenge porn practices due to anvariables in terms of the victim's lifestyle such as excessive dating style, lack of self-control, wronguse of social media, inability to refuse in toxic relationship conditions, and the existence of familyrelationships that weak.

Layered Exploitation: Exploring the Relationship Between Revenge Porn And Poly-Victimization

Amidst dynamic advancements in the digital landscape, we are witnessing the emergence of new forms of violence and exploitation, with "revenge porn" being one of the most alarming representations. This study undergoes an in-depth investigation into how revenge porn can lead to a situation of poly-victimization, a situation where victims are exposed to multiple types of victimization at once. Revenge porn, the act of publishing explicit material without the consent of the depicted party, often triggers a cascade of additional victimization, ranging from online harassment to discrimination and social stigmatization. The concept of poly-victimization refers to a collection of traumatic experiences experienced by the victim, which in this context includes emotional trauma, reputational damage, and potential legal complications. This research adopts the normative legal method, which integrates statutory, conceptual, comparative, and futuristic approaches. The nature of the research is descriptive-prescriptive, with the collected data analyzed using the content analysis method. The results of this study aim to define and identify the layered impact of revenge porn and poly-victimization, emphasizing how victims often undergo a continuum of traumatic experiences. By exploring the multifaceted dimensions of these crimes, both from a psychological and legal perspective, this research seeks to establish a strong foundation of knowledge that can encourage the creation of more efficient victim protection strategies and stricter legal responses against perpetrators.

Cyber Crime and Its Fear in Women

Cybercrime is a growing problem globally, with women being more vulnerable to its effects than men. Women are particularly susceptible to online harassment, stalking, revenge porn, and identity theft. Despite the prevalence of cybercrime and its adverse effects on women, little is known about how women perceive and respond to these types of crimes. This research study aims to explore the fear of cybercrime among women and the impact it has on their online behavior and daily routines. The paper reviews existing literature on cybercrime and gender, survey data related to attitudes towards cybercrime, and interviews with women on their experiences with cybercrime.

It’s a joke, not a dick. So don’t take it too hard”: online sexual harassment in Indian universities

ABSTRACT Recently, while there has been some attention to the issues online harassment in higher education, the impacts of online sexual harassment have been lost within the broader focus. There is negligible research looking at these specific experiences within Indian universities. To address this gap, this paper explores three different but interconnected forms of online sexual harassment—image-based sexual abuse, online chat rooms, and trolling in the context of Indian universities. Following the works of Liz Kelly (1987) and Clare McGlynn, Erika Rackley and Ruth Houghton (2017), this paper establishes the importance of understanding online sexual harassment as a continuum of other forms of offline sexual violence having physical, mental, and financial impacts on survivors, deeply affecting their sense of safety. In doing so, this paper attempts to develop a materialist understanding of online sexual harassment in Indian universities in turn demonstrating the confluence of India’s patriarchal and casteist society and an authoritarian state who use technology as a powerful disciplining tool to push women and queer people out of digital public spaces. This research attempts to establish that this disciplining and silencing of women and queer people are essential for the spread of both techno-capitalism and Brahmanical Hindutva nationalism.