'It’s Torture for the Soul': The Harms of Image-Based Sexual Abuse

McGlynn, C., Johnson, K., Rackley, E., Henry, N., Gavey, N., Flynn, A., & Powell, A. (2021). ‘It’s Torture for the Soul’: The Harms of Image-Based Sexual Abuse. Social & Legal Studies, 30(4), 541–562. https://doi.org/10.1177/0964663920947791

22 Pages Posted: 9 Mar 2023

See all articles by Professor Clare McGlynn

Professor Clare McGlynn

Durham Law School, Durham University

Kelly Johnson

Durham University - Law School

Erika Rackley

University of Kent

Nicola Henry

La Trobe University; Royal Melbourne Institute of Technolog (RMIT University)

Nicola Gavey

University of Auckland

Anastasia Powell

RMIT University

Asher Flynn

Monash University

Date Written: March 6, 2023

Abstract

Beyond ‘scandals’ and the public testimonies of victim-survivors, surprisingly little is known about the nature and extent of the harms of ‘image-based sexual abuse’, a term that includes all non-consensual taking and/or sharing of nude or sexual images. Accordingly, this article examines the findings from the first cross-national qualitative study on this issue, drawing on interviews with 75 victim-survivors of image-based sexual abuse in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. We adopt a feminist phenomenological approach that permits more nuanced and holistic understandings of victim-survivors’ experiences, moving beyond medicalised, trauma-based accounts of harm. Our analysis develops five interconnected accounts of the harms experienced, that we have termed social rupture, constancy, existential threat, isolation and constrained liberty. Our findings shed new light on the nature and significance of the harms of image-based sexual abuse that emphasises the need for more comprehensive and effective responses to these abuses.

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse; intimate image abuse; revenge porn; non-consensual porn; social rupture

JEL Classification: K00

Suggested Citation

McGlynn, Clare M. S. and Johnson, Kelly and Rackley, Erika and Henry, Nicola and Gavey, Nicola and Powell, Anastasia and Flynn, Asher, 'It’s Torture for the Soul': The Harms of Image-Based Sexual Abuse (March 6, 2023). McGlynn, C., Johnson, K., Rackley, E., Henry, N., Gavey, N., Flynn, A., & Powell, A. (2021). ‘It’s Torture for the Soul’: The Harms of Image-Based Sexual Abuse. Social & Legal Studies, 30(4), 541–562. https://doi.org/10.1177/0964663920947791 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4380316

Clare M. S. McGlynn (Contact Author)

Durham Law School, Durham University ( email )

Durham University
Palatine Centre
Durham, County Durham DH1 3LE
United Kingdom
0191 334 2800 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.dur.ac.uk/law/staff/stafflist/?id=429

Kelly Johnson

Durham University - Law School ( email )

Erika Rackley

University of Kent ( email )

Nicola Henry

La Trobe University ( email )

Department of Economics and Finance
Victoria 3552, 3086
Australia

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technolog (RMIT University) ( email )

Nicola Gavey

University of Auckland ( email )

Anastasia Powell

RMIT University ( email )

124 La Trobe Street
Melbourne, 3000
Australia

Asher Flynn

Monash University ( email )

23 Innovation Walk
Wellington Road
Clayton, Victoria 3800
Australia

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