Associated Factors with Non-Consensual Dissemination of Sexts: A Survey Study among Belgian Youth

• In Event: Cyber Victimization in Context: Patterns, Overlaps, and Emerging Forms

Abstract

Non-consensual dissemination of intimate images (NCII) is a behaviour that falls under the umbrella of ‘Image-Based Sexual Abuse’ and refers to the showing, sharing or posting online of intimate images without the knowledge or the consent of the person depicted, regardless of how the images were originally obtained. However, according to various researchers, the disseminated images are often obtained through sexting. This means that in a large proportion of NCII cases, the images were taken and sent by the person depicted (i.e. ‘sexts’), whether voluntarily or not, and subsequently been distributed without their consent. This specific type of NCII, which I call non-consensual dissemination of sexts (NCDS), is often not (clearly) distinguished from NCII behaviour as a whole. For this reason, and given the high prevalence of NCDS and its negative consequences for victims, this study has chosen to particularly focus on this behaviour. In order to protect people from their involvement in NCDS, it is important to have an insight into the factors associated with it. This study therefore examines several potential risk and protective factors for victims and perpetrators of NCDS by conducting a survey among a sample of 1,485 Belgians aged 14 to 25.

Authors

• Silke Van den Eynde, Leuven Institute of Criminology - KU Leuven

• Stefaan Pleysier, Leuven Institute of Criminology (KU Leuven)

• Michel Walrave, Media and ICT in Organisations and Society - University of Antwerp