Image-Based Sexual Abuse in a Culturally Conservative Nigerian Society: Female Victims’ Narratives of Psychosocial Costs

Abstract

Background In the last few years, many countries have introduced laws combating image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), colloquially known as "revenge pornography." However, the significant growth in the body of literature on the legal perspectives on IBSA, and the media coverage of high profile cases have not been equally met with appreciable victimization studies. Meanwhile, the need for a victim-centered approach in studying IBSA in Nigeria is underscored by the pervasiveness and normalization of sexual violence as a result of societal attitudes about gender and sexuality in the country. Therefore, this study explored the social and psychological implications of IBSA victimization. Methods Using qualitative methods, 27 adult women whose sexual images have been non-consensually shared publicly through online channels were purposively selected and interviewed for the study, between September 2019 and April 2020, and a thematic analysis of the participants' narratives carried out. Results Victims of IBSA were found to be subjected to higher social condemnation, stigmatization, and isolation based on greater attribution of blames to them by their social network. Evidences of institutional re-victimization were documented. Victims also reported self-blame, paranoia, anger, guilt, depression, suicidal ideation and attempt in dealing with the abuse, secondary victimization, and social isolation. Conclusion IBSA victims are faced with peculiar social and psychological consequences which separate them from victims of other forms of sexual abuse. The study suggests a review of appropriate laws and social policies to prevent IBSA, deploy more victim support services and perpetrator programs, and protect victims from secondary victimization.

Increasing Cases of Online Non-consensual Posting of Adult male Nude Pictures and Videos in Zambia: Views from rural and urban dwellers

“…This study found that extortion, naivety of male adults on use of communication technology; black mail and revenge were the reasons for posting of non-consensual nudities of male adults in Zambia. These findings are supported to a greater extent by the evidence collected from a study by Aborisade (2021) in which it was found that perpetrators of nonconsensual dissemination of pornographic materials depicting other individuals did so to extort victims for personal gain, to damage the victim"s personality for public disrepute or for relationship retribution (Aborisade 2021:10). The study also found that victims of non-consensual pornography suffered social shaming, social stigma, ridicule, rejection and desertion, loss of respect and dignity.…”

Image-Based Sexual Abuse Associated Factors: A Systematic Review

“…Of these articles, two investigated both the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and the threat to share intimate materials (Bates, 2017 ; Campbell et al, 2020 ), one study investigated the first two dimensions of the IBSA continuum (i.e. non-consensual taking or non-consensual sharing of intimate material) within the macro-category of TFSV (Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence) (Henry et al, 2021 ) and two focused on the entire continuum of IBSA (Aborisade, 2021 ; McGlynn et al, 2021 ). Among these, three articles used semi-structured interviews (Aborisade, 2021 ; Bates, 2017 ; Campbell et al, 2020 ) while two studies used unstructured interviews (Henry et al, 2021 ; McGlynn et al, 2021 ).…”

“…non-consensual taking or non-consensual sharing of intimate material) within the macro-category of TFSV (Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence) (Henry et al, 2021 ) and two focused on the entire continuum of IBSA (Aborisade, 2021 ; McGlynn et al, 2021 ). Among these, three articles used semi-structured interviews (Aborisade, 2021 ; Bates, 2017 ; Campbell et al, 2020 ) while two studies used unstructured interviews (Henry et al, 2021 ; McGlynn et al, 2021 ). Only one article followed a mixed-method approach (Champion et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Self-harm was described in one study assessing the non-consensual distribution of intimate material (Short et al, 2017 ); suicide attempt, in one study assessing the non-consensual distribution and the threat to distribute intimate material (Bates, 2017 ), and in one study assessing IBSA continuum (Aborisade, 2021 ); and suicidal ideation was found in two studies assessing the IBSA continuum (Aborisade, 2021 ; Champion et al, 2022 ). Stress was identified in one study assessing the non-consensual distribution of intimate material (Short et al, 2017 ), and in two studies assessing the IBSA continuum (Aborisade, 2021 ; Champion et al, 2022 ). Anger was found in one study assessing the non-consensual distribution of intimate material (Short et al, 2017 ), and in one study assessing the IBSA continuum (Aborisade, 2021 ).…”

Image-Based Sexual Abuse as a Means of Coercive Control: Victim-Survivor Experiences

“…To date, there have been few qualitative studies with victim-survivors of imagebased sexual abuse (see Aborisade, 2021;Bates, 2017;Henry et al, 2021a;Mandau, 2021;McGlynn et al, 2021), or with victim-survivors of technology-facilitated abuse more broadly (see Cuomo & Dolci, 2021;Douglas et al, 2019;Henry et al, 2021b;Leitão, 2021). There are even fewer qualitative studies focusing exclusively or comprehensively on victim-survivor experiences of image-based sexual abuse in the context of intimate partner abuse.…”