Digital Sexual Assault: Understanding the Non-Consensual Sharing of Sexual Images

Abstract

This chapter describes digital sexual assault as the non-consensual distribution of sexual or sexualized images. First, the chapter discusses different approaches to defining digital sexual assault in relation to the gendered, structural and mediated aspects of victimization. The chapter shows that while prevalence varies between the referenced studies, current research strongly suggests that the broad, sometimes organized, sharing of non-consensual sexual images targets female and feminized victims disproportionately, and that the mental and social consequences of digital sexual assault are strongly gendered.

Further, the chapter reports findings on the impacts of victimization, and the ways victims describe their experiences of coping with DSA; for example, by reclaiming control of their social media, sharing experiences with other victims and shaming perpetrators. These considerations emphasize the need for prevention, legislation and victim-support that acknowledge digital sexual assault as sexual violence and allow victims to seek justice and support without having to reframe their experiences as cyberbullying, child pornography or reputational damage.