Image-based sexual abuse as a means of coercive control: victim-survivor experiences

Henry, N., Gavey, N. and Johnson, K. (2022) Image-based sexual abuse as a means of coercive control: victim-survivor experiences. Violence Against Women, (doi: 10.1177/10778012221114918) (PMID:35989679) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Scholars and practitioners increasingly acknowledge the ways that abusive partners create, distribute, or threaten to distribute intimate images without consent, yet little empirical research has comprehensively explored image-based sexual abuse within intimate partner contexts. This article responds to this gap and reports on the findings of a study involving interviews with 29 women and one gender-diverse person who experienced image-based sexual abuse as part of a pattern of “coercive control.” The authors argue that abusive partners use intimate imagery as a means of exerting power and control, and as a tactic of intimidation, entrapment, and degradation. They note that law, policy, and practice responses should recognize the gendered nature of image-based sexual abuse and its growing use as a means of coercive control.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Australian Research Council (grant number DP170101433).
• Keywords: New Zealand, intimate partner violence, positive mental health, social support.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Johnson, Dr Kelly
• Authors: Henry, N., Gavey, N., and Johnson, K.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Violence Against Women
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 1077-8012
• ISSN (Online): 1552-8448
• Published Online: 22 August 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2022
• First Published: First published in Violence Against Women 2022
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy