Youth Responses to Coercive Requests for Sexual Images

• In Event: New Research on Image-Based Sexual Abuse of Children and Youth

Abstract

Sexual image sharing between consenting youth may occur as part of sexual exploration, but requests for images is coercive if accompanied by threats or strong pressure. Some youth comply and others do not when faced with coercive image requests and information on what distinguishes youth responses can help inform prevention initiatives. Survey data were analyzed from sample of young adults in the U.S. (n=2,001) ages 18-28, who experienced a request for sexual images when they were younger than 18 that involved coercion, strong pressure or threats. A little over half (57%, n=1,067) of respondents provided images in response. There were no demographic differences or differences in adversity histories that distinguished youth who did and did not share an image in response. However, youth were more likely to share images if threatened versus pressured and if the individual coercing the image was a dating partner. They were less likely to share images if the individual was a stranger or only known online. When youth shared images, they were less likely than those that did not to disclose the event to someone and were significantly more likely to experience negative consequences such as skipping school, trouble concentrating and seeing a professional for mental health concerns.

Authors

• Lisa M. Jones, University of New Hampshire

• Kimberly J. Mitchell, University of New Hampshire

• Deirdre Colburn, University of New Hampshire