This article references image-based abuse.
For most of us, the thought of sending an intimate image in confidence, only to discover that someone has abused our trust by sharing it online, is enough to spark feelings of shock, fear and betrayal.
Sharing non-consensual intimate images is an extreme violation of privacy, trust and human dignity and given how quickly such images can spread, I cannot begin to comprehend just how terrifying it must be for those who are subjected to it. It's a deeply harmful act that can have lasting emotional and social consequences for the victim.
Take Netflix’s new drama Adolescence – it highlights the devastating impact of online misogyny, with intimate image abuse at the core of this. It exposed many parents’ worst nightmares and reinforced what we already know at Refuge: that violence against women and girls (VAWG) is at epidemic levels. Yet, the reality is that over 40% of young people do not consider sharing non-consensual intimate images to be abuse, as revealed in a recent YouGov poll commissioned by Refuge.
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Having recently joined Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, as its new CEO, I have witnessed the relentless determination of a team committed to providing life-saving support and amplifying the voices of survivors.
However, I have been confronted with the sheer scale of VAWG, much of which is now unfolding online. Technology-facilitated abuse, in which technology is used to control, harass or intimidate, is escalating at an alarming rate. This includes the sharing of non-consensual intimate images, but can take many other forms, such as cyberstalking, constant messages and calls, or controlling someone’s devices.
But beyond my role at Refuge, I am also a mum to two young boys. I understand parents’ fears about keeping their children safe online, whether that means protecting them from abuse or preventing exposure to toxic online communities that share misogynistic content and perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes. No parent wants to see their child endure such a horrific ordeal, but the reality is, there’s a glaring gap in our nation’s understanding of tech-facilitated abuse, including the sharing of intimate images.
A new report shows reports of sexual abuse and harassment at 1664 primary schools in the UK.
Last month, Refuge shared new data as part of its Red Flags campaign, aimed at raising awareness of some of the warning signs in abusive relationships.
While nearly 80% of people said they would report physical abuse, far fewer would report tech-facilitated abuse. Shockingly, only 57% of 18-24-year-olds recognised 'sharing images of them without consent' as abuse, compared to 88% of those aged over 55.
Despite the fact that young people are more digitally connected than ever before, it’s clear there’s still a long way to go to ensure they fully understand the dangers of online abuse.
Sadly, intimate image abuse is far from rare, and the rise in online misogyny is only adding fuel to the fire. At Refuge, almost all the survivors we support have experienced some form of tech-facilitated abuse.
Gender-based violence is not inevitable.
Of course, technology itself cannot be blamed. However, rapid advancements in areas like AI, without adequate consideration of how they could be misused, mean that perpetrators can abuse with increasing ease.
While these images can be shared in seconds, the long-term effects cannot be underestimated. Even if the images are removed, the trauma of the experience can persist for many years.
As difficult as it may be to have conversations with young people about intimate image abuse, if we are serious about protecting our children, we cannot afford to sweep this issue under the rug.
We've come so far in the fight against image-based abuse, but there's still more to do.
While we can all take individual action, our schools must be equipped by the Government to introduce education on tech safety, ensuring young people have the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world. Empowering children to use technology safely is essential, but this must also form part of a broader societal attitude shift.
As a mum, I know first-hand the significant difference these early conversations can make, which is why schools must encourage children to challenge gender stereotypes and foster a culture of respect and consent.
But beyond our schools, both tech platforms and the government must wake up to the threats facing young women and girls. Tech and social media companies must urgently take responsibility for abusive content shared on their platforms, or there is a very real risk that images will be reshared or saved uncontrollably. Meanwhile, the government must implement robust laws to hold these platforms accountable.
In an ideal world, tech companies would voluntarily adopt a safety-first approach to their platforms. Yet the sad reality is that many will continue to prioritise profits over protection.
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Protecting young people from intimate image abuse requires a collective effort – from parents, teachers, tech companies and the government, as well as charities such as Refuge. In response to the growing threat of tech-facilitated abuse, we will host our second Tech Safety Summit this September, a virtual conference dedicated to sharing knowledge and finding solutions to end this sinister form of abuse.
If the government is to achieve its commitment of halving VAWG within the next decade, we hope it will recognise the critical importance of addressing intimate image abuse, helping young people understand its harms and ensuring the online space is made safer by design.
As our world becomes increasingly digitalised, the safety of young people hinges on the actions we take today to tackle intimate image abuse. This is not just a crisis – it has to be a call to action for all of us. We must start having critical conversations with our children about online respect and consent, and demand that tech companies be held to account for the abuse occurring on their platforms.
Together, we have the power to protect the safety and dignity of every woman and girl in the digital age.
Visit Refuge.org.uk to access safety tips and resources, or to make a donation today. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to make our work possible, and you could help us move closer to a world where women and children can live free from abuse and fear, both online and offline.
If you are experiencing any form of domestic abuse, including intimate image abuse, know that you are not alone. Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available on 0808 2000 247, and our confidential live chat is accessible online at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.
