New Research on Image-Based Sexual Abuse of Children and Youth

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

This panel presents findings from four recent studies on image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) of children and youth. IBSA is of increasing concern to parents, schools, and law enforcement, and public understanding of these crimes is often driven by news headlines. Research data is critical in order to ensure prevention education and law enforcement responses are empirically-based. Together, the studies in this panel provide new data from a range of methodological approaches to help understand youth and professionals’ experiences with IBSA. Drs. Mitchell and Jones will present data from a large survey of young adults in the U.S. on image-based abuse (IBSA) that occurred before age 18. Dr. Mitchell will present information on the impact of IBSA on respondents’ mental health and Dr. Jones will present information on differences in cases where respondents do and do not share images in response to coercive requests. Amanda Goharian, the Senior Research Manager at the non-profit organization Thorn, will present recent survey data from youth and young adults on deepfake nudes, a growing concern for parents and communities. Finally, Dr. O’Brien will present qualitative research from professionals on their experiences with the overlap of image based abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of youth.

Sub Unit

• Area V. Victimization / 38. Policy and Prevention of Victimization

Individual Presentations

• Links Between Image-Based Sexual Abuse and Mental Health in Childhood Among Young Adults in the United States - Kimberly J. Mitchell, University of New Hampshire; Deirdre Colburn, University of New Hampshire; David Finkelhor, University of New Hampshire; Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan, University of Haifa; Heather Turner, University of New Hampshire; Lisa M. Jones, University of New Hampshire

• Youth Responses to Coercive Requests for Sexual Images - Lisa M. Jones, University of New Hampshire; Kimberly J. Mitchell, University of New Hampshire; Deirdre Colburn, University of New Hampshire

• Deepfake Nudes & Young People: Navigating a New Frontier in Technology-Facilitated Nonconsensual Sexual Abuse and Exploitation - Amanda Goharian, Thorn; Melissa Stroebel, Thorn

• Child Sexual Abuse Material and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: What’s the overlap? - Jennifer O'Brien, University of Texas at Austin; Ayelet Prior, University of New Hampshire; David Finkelhor, University of New Hampshire; Kimberly J. Mitchell, University of New Hampshire; Gina Kahn, University of New Hampshire

Chair

• Lisa M. Jones, University of New Hampshire