Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

‘Devastating, like it broke me’: Responding to image-based sexual abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand

Henry, Nicola; Gavey, Nicola; McGlynn, Clare; Rackley, Erika

‘Devastating, like it broke me’: Responding to image-based sexual abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand Thumbnail


Authors

Nicola Henry

Nicola Gavey

Erika Rackley



Abstract

The non-consensual taking or sharing of intimate images, also known as ‘image-based sexual abuse’, has become a widespread problem. While there has been growing attention to this phenomenon, little empirical research has investigated victim-survivor experiences. Drawing on interviews with 25 victim-survivors, this article focusses on the different responses to image-based sexual abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand. We found that victim-survivors had diverse and often multiple experiences of image-based sexual abuse, perpetrated for a variety of reasons, which extended beyond the paradigm of malicious ex-partners seeking revenge. Some participants described the harms experienced as ‘devastating’: a form of ‘social rupture’. Few had formally reported to police or pursued other justice options. While participants held different justice ideals, all sought recognition of the harms perpetrated against them. Yet they faced multiple obstacles when navigating justice, redress and support options. The authors conclude that far-reaching change is needed to improve legislative, policy and prevention responses to image-based sexual abuse.

Citation

Henry, N., Gavey, N., McGlynn, C., & Rackley, E. (2022). ‘Devastating, like it broke me’: Responding to image-based sexual abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand. Criminology & Criminal Justice, https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958221097276

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 6, 2022
Online Publication Date Jun 4, 2022
Publication Date 2022
Deposit Date Jul 19, 2022
Publicly Available Date Jul 19, 2022
Journal Criminology and Criminal Justice
Print ISSN 1748-8958
Electronic ISSN 1748-8966
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958221097276

Files


Published Journal Article (140 Kb)
PDF

Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Copyright Statement
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).




You might also like



Downloadable Citations