5. Case studies Case study 1: Using academic research to build support for law reform around image-based abuse (Australia) Research undertaken in Australia by Monash University and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology on revenge pornography and “image-based abuse” has had a significant impact on legal reform and public awareness, nationally and beyond.1 The term “imagebased abuse” was coined by the research team (and has since been adopted in national law and policy) to describe three behaviours: Ê the non-consensual creation or taking of nude and/or sexual images Ê the non-consensual distribution or sharing of nude and/or sexual images Ê the threat to share nude or sexual images. Survey and interview research demonstrated the extent of image-based abuse, with survey results showing one in five people in Australia had been the victim of such abuse, and that it was used as a tool of coercion and harassment.2 Research also demonstrated that gender is a significant predictor of prevalence in relation to the non-consensual distribution of images: women aged 18 and over are twice as likely (15 per cent) as men aged 18 and over (7 per cent) to have experienced this form of abuse. Young women are particularly at risk, with 24 per cent of women compared with 16 per cent of men having experienced image-based abuse. Furthermore, the research showed that women experienced all three forms of imagebased abuse in a much more damaging way and suffered higher rates of psychological distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts. Women described feeling violated, almost at the level of sexual violence, with their bodies now being out there for anyone to view. Research also showed that as a result of the harm caused, victims could become reclusive, experience breakdowns in relationships, drop out or fall behind in their studies and be forced to leave their jobs. Significantly, some groups within the community, including LGBTI people, women with disabilities and indigenous Australians, were much more likely to experience image-based abuse. A high-profile case which underscored the inadequacy of the law involved an explicit image of a woman patient taken by a female nurse while the victim was in hospital, under anaesthetic awaiting surgery. The image was then circulated to the nurse’s colleagues. At this time (2013) there was nothing in the law which could provide justice for the victim. The harm led to the victim losing her job because of taking so much time off sick, as well as relationship problems, a fear of hospitals and other manifestations of trauma.3 Image: International Women’s Day March in Los Angeles, 5 March 2017 © Molly Adams.