Half of Scots think those who send intimate images are at fault if they’re shared

Over half of adults in Scotland believe that if someone sends an intimate image of themselves to someone else, it’s their fault if it gets shared further, according to new research released this week.

The insight into attitudes surrounding the sharing of images without consent has been released as a new law comes into force which makes it easier to prosecute people for the crime.

Under the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016, those convicted of the offence of ‘disclosing or threatening to disclose an intimate image or film’ could face up to five years imprisonment.

A campaign has launched to make Scots aware of the new law, as well as highlighting the serious harm and devastating impact on those who have had private images shared.

The campaign is also focused on changing attitudes to the crime, by highlighting that sharing, or threatening to share, such images is abusive and manipulative, and can be used to control a partner or ex-partner.

Today, organisations supporting the campaign spoke of their hope that attitudes change with the introduction of the new law, which makes it clear that the person who betrays the trust of a partner or former partner by sharing images without consent is at fault.

Brenna Jessie at Scottish Women’s Aid, said:

“When someone shares or threatens to share intimate images that belong to someone else they are trying to gain power over someone, to control that person and to humiliate them. It is abuse.

“If any of us blame the victim for being wronged then we are effectively joining in and letting the perpetrator off the hook.

“Our research on this showed that most victims of this crime suffered long term anxiety, and some mentioned feelings of self-harm and suicide. It is important and right that the law reflects this harm, and that there are consequences for those committing it.

“Legal changes are vital, but they are not enough on their own. We also need to work to change our culture to one where women are believed, trusted and supported and where those who commit these crimes are universally condemned.”

Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland:

“We work with young people in schools across Scotland, speaking about issues of consent and relationships, and young women frequently tell us of the relentless pressure they can be under to share intimate images of themselves.

"If they do send an image, it can lead to a whole new nightmare of intimate images of themselves being circulated round the school and beyond. The impact of this can be devastating. Where someone‘s image has been shared without their consent, they need support, not blame.

“The tough penalties associated with the crime should leave people in no doubt of where responsibility lies. Sharing an intimate image without consent is a crime.”

The research also revealed that more than one in ten of those surveyed (13 per cent) have sent an intimate image or film to someone, with the same percentage (13 per cent) agreeing that they’ve been in a relationship where they’ve been happy for their partner to take an intimate image or film.

However, over half of Scots (54 per cent) agreed when surveyed that a person shouldn’t take an intimate image of themselves, or allow someone to take one of them.

For further information, visit notyourstoshare.sco