Image-based abuse
| Visual | Audio |
|---|---|
A series of text messages pop up: 'You posted my nudes! The whole school has them!' 'I've got your video. Send me $1000 and I delete it.' 'U r really gonna treat me like this? I'll send your nudes to everyone so the world can see u for what u really are.' |
Image-based abuse can happen to anyone. There's more help for Australian victims of image-based abuse than ever before. |
eSafety Commissioner, esafety.gov.au/iba |
To report image-based based abuse or find out more about how eSafety can help, visit our website. |
Common types of image-based abuse
We support all Australians who have experienced image-based abuse
By providing help to remove images and videos, access to counselling and support and legal assistance.
What is image-based abuse or revenge porn?
Image-based abuse (IBA) happens when an intimate image or video is shared without the consent of the person pictured.
This includes images or videos that have been digitally altered (using Photoshop or specialised software).
An intimate image is one that shows
- a person’s genital area or anal area (whether bare or covered by underwear)
- a person’s breasts (if the person identifies as female, transgender or intersex)
- private activity (for example a person undressing, using the bathroom, showering, bathing or engaged in sexual activity)
- a person without attire of religious or cultural significance if they would normally wear such attire in public
Image-based abuse also includes the threat of an intimate image being shared.
Image-based abuse is sometimes called other things like ‘revenge porn’, ‘intimate image abuse’ or ‘image-based sexual abuse’. ‘Revenge porn’ is the term usually used in the media. But in many cases image-based abuse is not about ‘revenge’ or ‘porn’. Image-based abuse can happen for many reasons and can include many kinds of images and video.
If you have experienced image-based abuse, the most important things to remember are that it is not your fault and you are not alone.
Making a report
If you report image-based abuse to us, we can help to get the content removed as quickly as possible. Sometimes we can also take action against the person who posted, or threatened to post, an intimate image or video without the consent of the person shown. Learn more about what you can report to eSafety.
11% of adult Australians have experienced image-based abuse
If you have experienced image-based abuse, you are not alone. 11% of Australians aged 18 and over have experienced image-based abuse. Women aged 18 to 24 are more likely to be targets. IBA affects people regardless of their age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, education or bank balance. Read more eSafety Research
