Image based abuse

In recent years there have been a number of legal reforms across Australia that criminalise “revenge porn”, sometimes called “non-consensual sexting”. The legal term for the range of behaviours involving the distribution or recording of intimate or private images without the consent of the person in the image, is “image-based abuse”. While there is still a long way to go to achieve a standardised approach to image-based abuse, there are a number of laws that apply, both in NSW and nationally, that criminalise image-based abuse.

Emphasis should be placed on understanding what image-based abuse is, and being mindful that it is more than just sexting. It is noted that this module is not designed to replace seeking professional advice. Young people who are considering engaging in sexting should speak to a professional, such as a lawyer or a counsellor, to understand both the legal and health consequences.

This module does not deal with consensual sexting.

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Please note that this module has been uploaded in draft form for feedback and testing – it should be noted that we cannot guarantee the legal accuracy of draft modules.

Last updated: March 2019