Back in 2018, the Australian government passed some of the strictest e-safety legislation in the world to help combat imaged-based abuse, otherwise known as revenge porn. Sharing explicit photos, videos and other content without the subject’s consent is a crime, it’s punishable by up to 7 years in prison and individuals can be fined up to $105,000. But while our laws seem to protect victims, victim shaming culture is lagging behind in ensuring online safety.
A report conducted by RMIT shows some scary findings about the commonality of image-based abuse. One in five Australians will experience image-based abuse in their lifetime, one in two Australians with a disability and one in two Indigenous Australians report being victims to image-based abuse and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are also considered high risk of victimisation. Of these victims, the vast majority are women, and young people (16-29) are the highest risk age bracket. Evidence also suggests that victims of image-based abuse often experience significant psychological stress which can often lead to mental illnesses such as severe depression and anxiety. This trauma is what can stand in the way of criminal proceedings. When victims hold self-shaming attitudes brought about by victim blaming, they are significantly less likely to seek support or justice. Which means that although strict laws have been introduced, they are rarely enforced. Sharing explicit content without consent is damaging not only to the victim’s wellbeing, but also risks damaging their relationships, confidence and future. Everyone has a right to express their sexuality, without fear of being manipulated and victimised.
We know that sexting is becoming an inevitable part of growing up and experiencing relationships and sexuality, in fact, 75% of young people aged between 14 and 17 have previously engaged in sexting. So how can we overcome the stigmas that victims face? The key of course, lies in education. Thorough sexual education is so crucial to the wellbeing of young people, it can equip students with the tools for safe and positive sexual experiences. However, high school sex ed rarely goes further than an uncomfortable biology class. Schools needs to provide information about sexting laws, acknowledge and overcome victim shaming culture and above all, explain that sexting is merely a sexual experience that people have the right to engage in if they choose. Young people are so frequently taught by adults that sending personal explicit content to someone else always leads to image-based abuse. Not only is this incorrect, but abusers themselves don’t receive any of the blame, when they’re the core of the problem.
It’s important to start positive and informative conversations around sexting which render image-based abuse completely unacceptable and victims can finally be protected by the law.
If you, or someone you know, are ever a victim of image-based abuse, E-smart has heaps of helpful resources to support victims.