Bystander Intervention and Image-Based Sexual Abuse

Session Submission Type: Pre-arranged Panel

Abstract

Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), also known as non-consensual dissemination of intimate images (NCII), is an emerging form of technology-facilitated sexual violence that involves the non-consensual taking, distribution, and/or threat to distribute nude or sexual imagery of another person. Over the past ten years, there has been greater scholarly and public attention paid to this form of violence globally, with research finding perpetration and victimisation is relatively common. Consistent among these studies is a higher rate of victimisation among people who are gender and sexuality diverse, from ethnic or racial minorities, Indigenous and First Nations people, and younger cohorts, mirroring other forms of sexual violence. Research has also identified a range of significant harms, such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, social isolation, and employment loss. IBSA and other digital harms continue partly because others actively or passively support inequality, discriminatory attitudes, or violence; remain silent; and/or tolerate the abuse and its underlying causes. Indeed, research suggests that support for, and intervention by, people who witness abusive behaviours can reduce the extent and impact of those behaviours, problematic attitudes, and harms. In this regard, bystanders are an untapped resource and have a potentially greater role to play in the prevention of image-based sexual abuse. This panel (one of two focused on bystander intervention and sexual and gender-based violence) brings together scholars from Australia, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, England and the Netherlands to examine the potentials of bystander intervention in IBSA, and other forms of sexual harm, including child exploitation material and online sexual harassment. The panel includes discussion of both qualitative and quantitative findings, as well as theoretical and conceptual frameworks for better understanding bystander intervention in online settings.

Subtopic

• Topic 4: Victimology / Policy and Prevention of Victimization (Victimology WG)

Chair

• Asher Flynn, Monash University

Individual Presentations

• Understanding and disrupting young bystander’s barriers to intervene against Non-Consensual Dissemination of Intimate Images - Sofie Boye Kromann, Department of Communication and Arts, Roskilde University

• Barriers, Facilitators and Strategies to Promote Bystander Intervention in Image-Based Sexual Abuse Contexts - Asher Flynn, Monash University; Elena Cama, University of New South Wales; Adrian J. Scott, University of Goldsmiths

• Perceived harmfulness as trigger for bystanding in image-based sexual abuse. - Aurelie Gilen, University of Antwerp; Michel Walrave, University of Antwerp; Catherine Van de Heyning, University of Antwerp; Mona Giacometti, University of Antwerp

• Bystander intervention and image-based sexual abuse: the Italian case of Telegram groups - Cosimo Sidoti, PhD candidate at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Transcrime, Milan, Italy; Edel Beckman, Clinical Criminologist at PermessoNegato APS

• “After I wash my hands” - Young adults on reporting harmful sexual images - Sidsel Harder, University of Copenhagen; Sofie Bovée, University of Copenhagen; Jakob Demant, University of Copenhagen; Michel Walrave, University of Antwerp