P083. Perceptions and attitudes toward image-based sexual abuse: a study of the portuguese population

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Abstract

Image-based sexual abuse has become an increasingly relevant issue, especially due to the exponential growth of technology and social media use. While this phenomenon has been widely studied in international contexts there remains a gap in studies addressing this form of victimization in Portugal. Understanding this phenomenon and its consequences for victims highlights the need for further research in this area. The study to be presented aimed to analyze the attitudes and beliefs of the Portuguese population regarding image-based sexual abuse. More specifically, it aims to assess public perceptions of image-based sexual abuse. More specifically, it aims to assess public perceptions of image-based sexual abuse and analyze levels of social rejection and acceptance of victimization. The study used the Non-Consensual Image Survey (Umbach et al., 2024), translated and adapted for the Portuguese population with the formal authorisation from the author. The instrument is divided into five sections, which include, among others, questions about internet usage habits and beliefs and attitudes toward image-based sexual abuse. Data collection is being conducted between February and March 2025 via the Google Forms platform. This study seeks to fill the critical gap in understanding how image-based sexual abuse is perceived within the Portuguese population. The findings will not only shed light on the prevailing attitudes and beliefs surrounding this form of victimization but also inform necessary interventions designed to combat it. The results are expected to highlight significant discrepancies in social rejection and acceptance, which could guide the development of targeted educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the consequences of image-based sexual abuse.

Authors

• Telma Castro, University Fernando Pessoa

• Ana Isabel Sani, University Fernando Pessoa (UFP); OPVC-UFP; CIEC-UM