We recently went to a training session on Image Based Abuse run by YWCA Adelaide and Legal Services Commission of SA, and the info below is based on what we learnt...
1. It's not called revenge porn
The term is Imaged Based Abuse (IBA)
Why don't we use the term “revenge porn”?
Because it implies sharing the image is done as an act of revenge. It implies that the person deserves retaliation. No one deserves this, no matter what. It’s not your fault if someone shares your image without your consent.
2. Image Based Abuse can be more broad than pornographic images
It also includes humiliating and degrading filming, such as acts of violence like school yard fights and hazing videos where there is no consent to being filmed.
It also includes invasive images.
An invasive image is one in which the person is shown in a place other than a public place and engaged in a private act (including a sexual act), a state of undress showing their genitals, anal region, or female breasts covered by underwear or bare (this doesn’t include images that are generally considered decent such as innocent photos of babies sent to family or friends).
3. If someone shares an invasive image of you without your consent - it can be an offence.
4. You can't legally consent to an invasive image being shared if you are 16 years or younger.
This means that even if the young person in the invasive image is willing for the image to be shared, it can be an offence.
5. Threatening to share an invasive image can be an offence as well.
If someone THREATENS to distribute an invasive image without your consent, and wants to make you fear that the threat will be carried out (or doesn't care if you're likely to be afraid of that) - it can be an offence.
So a THREAT to share an invasive image is also treated seriously.
6. We’re often unclear about what to do if an invasive image has been shared.
Here are some people, services and organisations that can help:
- Report to the eSafety Commissioner.
Any Australian victim of image-based abuse can make a report to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. They will work with you and do our very best to help get the image or video removed.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/
- Legal Advice Line
Free, confidential legal advice on the telephone about most legal issues.
Available 9am – 4:30pm, Monday- Friday
Ph. 1300 366 424
- Legal Chat
Type-chat to a legal advisor for personal assistance with legal information. Available during business hours.
Legal Services Commission
- The Line
https://www.theline.org.au/young-people-and-technology
7. Being safe online is relatively easy to learn.
We can have some control who we let into own online space.
(Note: This is not intended to be a segment telling you what to do, or what you have to do. That's not what we're about. This is just us letting you know there are things you can do, and about giving you ideas you can try)
Our online space should be comfortable and not a cause of anxiety, so it’s important to be selective and assertive about who we invite into it.
When a friend/ follow request pops up, it might be helpful to ask yourself
- Would I choose to spend time with this person IRL?
- What value are they going to bring to my world?
And, make sure you regularly review your privacy settings.
There are a heap of sites out there that take you through a step by step process of how update your privacy settings, it’s only one google search away….
8. It’s not your fault if someone shares your image without your consent
It. Is. Not. Your. Fault.
That's it
If you'd like to know more, check out some of the online resources below!
The eSafety Commissioner is responsible for promoting the online safety for all Australians by:
- a complaints service for young Australians who experience serious cyberbullying
- identifying and removing illegal online content
- tackling image-based abuse.
The Line, Dealing with online abuse: https://www.theline.org.au/dealing-with-online-abuse
LSCSA Factsheet, Porn & Sexual Photos and film: https://lsc.sa.gov.au/resources/Porn_Sexual_Photos_and_Films_Young_People.pdf
And if you have any thoughts about this, let us know in the Rant Space below :)
