Image-based abuse is on the rise on queer dating/hook up apps, writes Andrew Macdonald.
The digital landscape has seen significant advancements in connectivity and communication, helping create a sense of community and belonging, especially among marginalised groups such as the queer communities. Alongside these positive developments, there has been a disturbing rise in image-based abuse, particularly targeting individuals on various hook-up apps. This phenomenon not only threatens personal privacy but also perpetuates discrimination and mental health challenges. Whilst the perpetrator of image-based abuse is often queer, there’s a recent rise in catfishing and abuse from those deliberately creating fake profiles in order to take advantage of us.
Image-based abuse, also known as ‘revenge porn’ or ‘non-consensual pornography’, involves the distribution of private, often explicit, images or videos without your consent. This form of abuse is particularly insidious as it violates our privacy, autonomy, and dignity. For queer folks, it can also heighten risk around being outed.
Apps like Grindr, Tinder and Scruff have become popular parts of queer life, providing platforms for connection and perhaps a random hook-up. However, these apps have also become fertile grounds for image-based abuse. The relative anonymity provided by these platforms can enable perpetrators who exploit the trust and openness often found in these digital spaces.
With sharing intimate images, the expectation of privacy and mutual respect exists. Unfortunately, these images can be misused, leading to devastating consequences. Offenders sharing these images without consent to humiliate, blackmail or ‘out’ their victims, causing emotional distress, anxiety, and even leading to self-harm or suicide in extreme cases.
In Australia, to pursue violations of your privacy via imaged-based abuse, head to esafety.org.au for the esafety Commissioner’s website. On the home page you will quickly see a button labelled ‘Has someone shared an intimate image or video of you online?’
Socially, the unfortunate stigma surrounding rainbow communities can exacerbate the trauma of image-based abuse. Victims may be reluctant to seek help due to fear of being judged, not believed, or further marginalised. If this has happened to you, report it to the eSafety Commissioner and seek out someone to share how you are feeling. This might include support lines like QLife.
This abuse runs the risk of negatively impacting our body autonomy, sense of sensuality and sexual beauty. Be sexy, be you and be careful with who you share that with. One final word, it’s okay to question the validity of images you have been sent. With AI and the ease of stealing images, you never know. lens.google.com is a tool worth checking out that searches the origins of images. That hot image you just received might be a French footballer and not someone from around the corner. Stay safe folks.
Andrew Macdonald is a clinical psychotherapist at https://www.jeffersonplace.com.au/
