Image-based sexual abuse is the nonconsensual creation, taking, copying, sharing or threatened sharing of intimate images. It can involve real or manipulated images, and it is not limited to cases described as “revenge porn.” Consent to make or send an image does not mean consent to show or distribute it. Legal remedies and support routes depend on where the people, conduct and platform are located.
What is image-based sexual abuse?
Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), also called image-based abuse or nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII), covers a range of conduct involving intimate images without a person’s consent. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner uses “image-based abuse” for sharing or threatening to share an intimate image or video without consent. Its definition also includes altered or fake images, and images falsely presented as depicting someone.
The conduct can happen through a social platform, website, private message, email or file transfer. “Intimate” may include nudity or partial nudity, genitals, breasts or buttocks, or private activities such as undressing or sexual activity. Australian guidance also includes being without religious or cultural clothing normally worn in public.
Examples of abuse
- An ex-partner shares a nude image without permission.
- Someone creates or distributes a fake intimate image of a co-worker.
- A person threatens to share an image to pressure someone to stay in a relationship.
- Someone demands money, more sexual content or another benefit in exchange for not sharing an image.
- An intimate image is falsely tagged with someone’s name or otherwise presented as showing them.
“Revenge porn” is a familiar phrase, but it can be misleading: abuse may be motivated by control, humiliation, boasting or extortion, not only revenge. Sextortion refers to blackmail involving a nude or sexual image or video, often with demands for money, additional content or another benefit.
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What does consent mean for intimate images?
Consent must relate to the specific act in question. Agreeing to create an image, or to send it to one person, is not permission for that person to show it to others or distribute it. The eSafety Commissioner describes consent as clear permission given with understanding and without pressure, and states: “Sharing your intimate image or video with one person doesn’t give them permission to share it with anyone else or let others see it.”
The legal meaning of consent and how it is assessed depend on the jurisdiction, the conduct and the particular law or complaint. A general explanation cannot settle every criminal, civil or platform dispute. Rules involving images of people under 18 are distinct and vary by country; do not assume that adult consent rules apply.
If someone shared or threatened to share an image of you without consent, it is not your fault because you created or sent it. The eSafety Commissioner puts it plainly: “Remember, it’s not your fault if someone shares or threatens to share an intimate image or video of you without your consent.”
What laws and remedies may apply?
There is no single worldwide rule. The examples below describe different legal systems and do not determine what applies to a particular incident. Location, age, image type, conduct and platform coverage can all matter. The legal examples reflect information available as of October 3, 2026; check current official guidance or consult a local specialist about an individual case.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Jurisdiction | What the cited law or route provides | Important limits |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | The Online Safety Act 2021 supports the eSafety Commissioner’s image-based abuse scheme. The regulator accepts reports and says it can help remove material or stop threats; police may investigate under criminal laws. | A report does not guarantee removal, that a threat will stop, or a police investigation or prosecution. |
| United States | The TAKE IT DOWN Act became Public Law 119-12 on May 19, 2025. It creates a federal criminal prohibition concerning intentional disclosure of nonconsensual intimate visual depictions and requires covered platforms to remove qualifying material after a valid request under the law. | Whether the statute applies depends on its elements and platform coverage. It does not mean every incident will automatically be prosecuted or removed. |
| United Kingdom | Section 100 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 addresses takedown systems for regulated services. Shown in force from June 29, 2026, it requires proportionate systems designed to take down qualifying reported intimate-image content as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 48 hours after a valid report, subject to statutory conditions. A UK government factsheet also describes offences relating to creating, taking, copying and sharing intimate images, and tools used to generate purported intimate images. | The 48-hour period applies only where the statutory conditions for a valid report and qualifying content are met. Check commencement and scope for the particular provision. |
These examples are not a country-by-country survey, and their mechanisms are not interchangeable. The law where the affected person lives may not be the only relevant one; the alleged perpetrator, platform and conduct may be located elsewhere. A local official agency, specialist organization or lawyer can explain which routes are available.
Where can someone seek help or report an image?
There may be several distinct options: a platform’s own reporting process, a regulator, police, a specialist support organization or a legal adviser. A person affected can choose what feels safe; reporting to police or pursuing a legal case is not the only way to seek help.
Australia: eSafety and immediate support
In Australia, the eSafety Commissioner has a reporting route specifically for image-based abuse and says it can assist with removal or stopping threats. Its general guidance for someone being blackmailed advises not paying or sending more intimate content, ending contact and reporting the abuse. A platform may have a separate report option.
The eSafety youth page lists free, confidential support available 24/7: Kids Helpline for people 25 or younger (call or chat at 1800 55 1800) and Lifeline for adults (call, text or chat at 13 11 14). Check the services’ current contact details and eligibility. People outside Australia should look for a local equivalent.
Choose a route that fits the situation
- Platform: Use the service’s reporting route if the image or threat is on that platform.
- Regulator: Check whether your country has an online-safety or privacy regulator that accepts this kind of report.
- Police: Contact police if you want to report possible criminal conduct or feel unsafe; whether they can act depends on local law and the circumstances.
- Support organization or trusted person: Seek emotional or practical support without committing to a legal process.
- Legal adviser: Ask a local specialist about the law, available remedies and how location or age affects the options.
There is no universally correct reporting sequence, and a report or takedown request cannot guarantee a particular result. If there is immediate danger, use the appropriate emergency service in your location.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the available support data show?
A UK government factsheet updated September 30, 2026, reported that the Revenge Porn Helpline handled 22,275 support cases in 2024, 20.9% more than the year before. “Cases” should not be read as a count of unique people; the cited factsheet does not establish that.
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