What are some examples of online and image-based abuse?
Some examples of online and imaged based abuse through the use of technology include:
Grooming and sexual exploitation
Grooming and sexual exploitation can take place online.
It might happen where someone is not who they say they are. It will often take place over time while the groomer builds your trust.
It might happen via photo sharing apps, gaming sites, chatrooms and social media platforms.
Grooming and sexual exploitation can be difficult to identify, because the groomer is unlikely to be clear about what they want in the first instance and so this may lead to other types of online abuse; for example they might ask you for sexual photos, or to perform on camera.
Revenge porn
Image-based sexual abuse, commonly referred to as ‘revenge porn’ refers to the sharing or distribution of images or videos, without your consent, intending to cause distress or humiliation.
Bolt Burdon Kemp has acted in a number of cases relating to revenge porn, including where a former partner sent private sexual images of our client to members of her family. Visit our page to find out how we can help.
Sexting
“Sexting” is the creating and sharing of sexual messages or images via mobile phones. It is a growing trend amongst young people.
Bolt Burdon Kemp is the first law firm to have won a case for compensation in relation to psychological harm from sexting in the High Court.
The case concerned a child who was manipulated by the deputy head teacher of her school into sending sexual images of herself to him i.e., sexting.
Compensation of £25,000 was awarded by the Court to the child for the manipulation of the teacher into sharing the sexual images and for the psychological harm that she suffered when the images were discovered.
Visit our page to find out how we can help with abuse relating to sexting.
Cyberflashing
Cyberflashing is the sharing of indecent images to someone’s phone or electronic device, without their permission.
It has become an increasing problem in recent years, with smartphones often having the ability to share and receive images from other devices automatically without the need to ask for permission.
Cyberflashing can happen online or in person to a person’s mobile via Bluetooth, Airdrop or through using Wi-Fi. It frequently takes place on public transport.
Sextortion
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail, that is, extorting money or sexual favours, by threatening that your sexual activity will be revealed. Examples of such threats include the threat that a sexual video of you or a sexual image of you will be shared.
In order to prevent the sharing, a victim then might be forced into take off their clothes on camera, to perform sexual acts, or be required to pay money including cryptocurrency to avoid the perpetrator sharing the video or images.
Sextortion usually occurs online and there have been instances of sextortion via dating apps and social media.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying which takes place online. It might include threats, harassment, and might be public or through direct messaging. It might be done by one person or you may be targeted by lots of people. Most young people will experience this at some time.
You can often report this directly to apps or to social media platforms.
