Survivors are already dealing with the ‘immeasurable impact’ of image-based sexual abuse, so people need to report such content immediately if they come across it on their social media feeds to prevent further harm. — 123rf
THE insidious thing about deepfake nudes and revenge porn, or image-based sexual abuse, is that the victims are often blamed for their own predicament.
Cosplayer Elyana Sparks (who uses a stage name) is a prime example of this.
After the 21-year-old spoke publicly on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) about her experiences as a victim of deepfake image-based sexual abuse, she began receiving comments from strangers and even friends implying she “deserved” what happened to her because of her cosplaying. Some even started sending rape threats to her.
“I’m surprised my mental health is still OK despite the threats and hate I’ve been receiving. I do feel fragile at times, though I always try to remember to focus on those who support and not those who victim blame,” she says.
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) advocacy officer Tamyra Selvarajan stresses that it is important to emphasise that the survivors are not at fault.
“Victim blaming does nothing to prevent this issue, instead it exacerbates it,” she says.
Survivors are already dealing with the “immeasurable” impact of image-based sexual abuse, she adds.
“Effects can range from a decline in mental and physical health and they can even cause a strain in personal relationships.
“Not only that, but it can also lead to a loss of focus in work or studies and withdrawal from social engagements due to the shame and stigma they may face,” Selvarajan says.
That is why she advises people to report such content immediately if they come across it on their social media feeds to prevent further harm.
Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist and psychologist Assoc Prof Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat says the severe psychological distress, relationship strains, and social stigma often also spill over to affect the victims’ families, especially if the victim is underaged.
“Although the legal framework in Malaysia allows for both civil and criminal actions against perpetrators, the victim has already suffered lasting harm,” she says.
But victims of image-based sexual abuse are not completely helpless if they wish to seek assistance.
Aside from lodging a police report with visual evidence, survivors can also approach the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment (TAGS), Selvarajan says.
TAGS, which was established in October 2022, is meant to provide a quick, inexpensive and easy mechanism for victims of sexual harassment to seek redress.
The tribunal issued a landmark award for its first complaint in July 2024.
Selvarajan says WAO also has a hotline and text messaging service that can be a refuge for survivors.
“In terms of mental health, there are counselling services provided by NGOs such as WAO and All Women’s Action Society (Awam).
“In fact, the Knowledge and Rights with Young people through Safer Spaces [KRYSS] Network meticulously prepared a toolkit for survivors of online gender-based violence which is available on their website,” she says (see details below).
Elyana also calls for victims to not be afraid to approach NGOs for help and to stand up for themselves.
“Those who are victims of being inappropriately AI-edited, please don’t hesitate to file a report and take action and speak up about it,” she says.
> If you are a victim of image-based sexual abuse and you would like to seek help, you can:
<> File a police report with visual evidence of correspondence and photos.
<> Lodge a complaint with the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment.
This will enable authorities to start the investigation process.
<> You can also reach out to NGOs that provide a safe space and counselling for survivors such as the WAO hotline at 03-3000 8858 or text Tina at 018-988 8058.
The Knowledge and Rights with Young people through Safer Spaces (KRYSS) Network also has a publicly-accessible toolkit for online gender-based violence which can be accessed at kryss.network/resources/toolkits-and-guides.
