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Image-Based Sexual Abuse as a Means of Coercive Control: Victim-Survivor Experiences
Nicola Henry1, Nicola Gavey2, Kelly Johnson3
1Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Violence Against Women
|August 22, 2022
Summary
Abusive partners weaponize intimate images for coercive control. This study reveals how image-based sexual abuse is used for intimidation and degradation within intimate relationships.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Criminology
- Psychology
Background:
- Growing recognition of intimate image abuse without consent.
- Limited empirical research on image-based sexual abuse in intimate partner violence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the use of image-based sexual abuse within intimate partner contexts.
- To understand how intimate imagery functions as a tool of coercive control.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving interviews.
- 30 participants (29 women, 1 gender-diverse person) with experience of image-based sexual abuse.
Main Results:
- Intimate imagery is used by abusive partners for power and control.
- Tactics include intimidation, entrapment, and degradation.
- Image-based sexual abuse is a key component of coercive control patterns.
Conclusions:
- Image-based sexual abuse is a gendered form of abuse.
- Responses from law, policy, and practice must acknowledge its role in coercive control.
- Further research and interventions are needed to address this issue.
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