In today’s digital age, our social and romantic interactions are increasingly online, and the normalization of both storing and sharing intimate images has reached concerning levels. Our recent global study – one of the largest polls ever conducted on this matter – reveals some alarming trends, and highlights the urgent need for both awareness and education on intimate image abuse, commonly known as “revenge porn”.

The digital age of intimacy

Nearly a quarter of the people surveyed in our poll have explicit images saved on their devices – with the highest rates among younger age groups. Specifically, 34% of 16–24-year-olds and 25–34-year-olds admitted storing such images. Additionally, 25% of respondents have shared intimate images with people they’re dating or chatting with online – with this figure rising to 39% among 25–34-year-olds.

Despite the widespread sharing of intimate images, only 21% of those who’ve shared an image requested its deletion from the recipient’s device. This statistic highlights a troubling lack of awareness about the long-term consequences of sharing intimate images.

The dark side of image sharing

The study also exposes a darker side of intimate image sharing. Shockingly, 8% of those who’ve shared nude or explicit material admitted to doing so for revenge, and 9% – to frighten others. Nearly half of all respondents reported that they’ve either experienced intimate image abuse themselves, or know someone who has. This issue is particularly pronounced among younger generations, with 69% of 16–24-year-olds and 64% of 25–34-year-olds reporting such experiences.

Aaliyah’s story is a stark reminder of this reality; her ex-partner maliciously shared her intimate images online, causing severe emotional and psychological impacts.

Victim blaming: a harmful misconception

One of the most disturbing findings of our study is the prevalence of victim blaming. Precisely half of the respondents believe that if you share an intimate image of yourself, it remains your fault if it ends up in the wrong hands. This harmful misconception contributes to the stigma and isolation victims feel, making it harder for them to seek help and support.

We need to emphasize this: if someone shares your intimate images without your consent, it’s not your fault. The blame lies solely with those who misuse and exploit these images and, by definition – your trust. Alice’s story illustrates this perfectly. After her partner’s death, she found intimate images of herself online — images that were secretly taken while she was sleeping, highlighting that the real culprit is the one who takes and shares these images without explicit permission.

No one should have to suffer the emotional and psychological harm caused by intimate image abuse, and it’s crucial that we all work to change the narrative around this issue.

Protect yourself online

To protect yourself from intimate image abuse, consider the following tips:

Think before you post: be mindful of who you share your data with, and consider the potential risks;
Use secure messengers: opt for messaging services with end-to-end encryption;
Report abuse: if you believe you’re a victim of intimate image abuse, keep evidence and report it to the police and the respective platforms;
Check permissions: regularly review the permission settings on your apps to control data sharing;
Use strong passwords: employ a reliable security solution to create and manage unique passwords for each account;
Utilize resources: take advantage of tools like StopNCII.org to help prevent intimate images being shared online without your consent;
Find an organization in your country to provide you with further support.

The findings from our study make it clear that, while technology has made intimate image sharing easier, it has also increased the risk of abuse. Awareness and education are crucial in mitigating these risks and protecting individuals from the emotional and reputational harm associated with intimate image abuse.

For more information and resources, subscribe to our Telegram channel, and visit our blog and the revenge porn helpline in your country.

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