Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA)
Definition
The non-consensual creation, capture, or distribution of intimate sexual images. The term encompasses non-consensual intimate image sharing (formerly called revenge porn), upskirt recording, and AI-generated deepfake sexual imagery. Coined by researchers Clare McGlynn and Erika Rackley to reflect the full range of conduct.
- Scope
- Non-consensual creation, capture, or distribution of intimate images
- Includes
- Non-consensual sharing, upskirt recording, AI deepfake sexual imagery
- Term coined by
- Researcher Clare McGlynn
- Superseded label
- "Revenge porn"
Common questions
Why did researchers move away from the term 'revenge porn' in favour of IBSA?+
Revenge porn implies a motive of retaliation and frames the material as ordinary pornography, which does not fit many cases, such as covertly recorded upskirt footage or AI-generated deepfakes where no real motive of revenge exists and no genuine consensual image was ever taken. IBSA is broader and centres the lack of consent rather than a presumed motive.
Does IBSA cover images that were never taken of a real, unaltered moment?+
Yes. AI-generated deepfake sexual imagery is explicitly included even though the depicted act never happened, because the harm being addressed is the non-consensual sexualised depiction of a real identifiable person, not only the non-consensual capture of a real event.
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