By MWN Hub Team

 

Digital spaces are increasingly becoming breeding grounds for harm, abuse and control. The posting of intimate images and incendiary comments can magnify the suffering victims face online and offline. These forms of online abuse tactfully attempt to silence, dehumanise and disempower victims. Principally, it is women who tend to fall prey to this abuse, as over 90% of all deep fakes online are sexualised images of women and 58% of women face some form of digital violence.[1]

 

It is time to recognise the devastating impact of online intimate image abuse goes beyond the digital realm - it has real life consequences. The narratives presented here are from Muslim women who had contacted Muslim Women's Network (MWN) Helpline for support in stopping this abuse. Their narratives evidence how technology has expanded the repertoire of abusive behaviours for perpetrators. The threat and use of intimate images shared without consent on social media have enabled abusive partners to exert coercive control preventing victims from being able to leave the relationship. For those women, their safety had been compromised leading to psychological harm, such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Names have been changed to protect identities.

 

Liyana’s story

Liyana had been using Muslim marriage apps in hope of finding a suitable partner. On one of the apps, she came across a charming man which led to her becoming enamoured by him. After two months of communicating online, they decided to meet up, once at his place then at hers. She thought he had genuine intention to marry, so had shared intimate images of herself. It was when a male friend contacted her, sharing screenshots of images of her that she realised her personal details were leaked onto a private Facebook group for men only. She became a target of an online hate campaign that shames Muslim women, as there were hundreds of comments from men on that group calling her a ‘slag’. Although she had contacted Revenge Porn Helpline for advice, due to it being a closed group and the lack of evidence they were unable to do anything. This left Liyana fearful of going outside and online. While Liyana is not entirely sure if all the images have been removed, the support from MWN Helpline gave her the confidence to contact the police to report the intimate image abuse.

 

Dania’s story

Dania had met her husband on a Muslim marriage app. They had been married for less than a year before trust and control led to breakdown of their marriage. Soon after the Islamic divorce, she came across a fake Instagram account with her name, a profile picture of her with a family friend and a caption that stated DM for OF (OF=Only Fans). Dania contacted MWN Helpline suspecting her ex-husband was behind this and scared that he will post an explicit picture that she once had sent to him. The Helpline encouraged her to seek support from Revenge Porn Helpline and contact Report Harmful Content as they can provide advice on how to report.

 

Nadia’s story

Nadia’s ex wanted to re-kindle their relationship. Knowing where she lives, he would send her letters and anonymously message via Whatsapp indecent images of himself. As she was unwilling to resume the relationship, he threatened her saying he will expose intimate images and videos of her to her brother. The threat, Nadia explained left her feeling deeply anxious and physically sick. She was unable to leave her house for fear of him approaching her or further threatening her. Even though, she had contacted the police was informed that they were unable to do anything until he posts or shares them with others. Being powerless to do anything severely affected her mental health. Her GP prescribed her anti-depressants encouraging her to consider counselling. With support from MWN Helpline, Nadia contacted Revenge Porn Helpline, kept a log of all the messages her ex sent and received faith and culturally-sensitive counselling.

 

Huda’s story

After finding out her boyfriend was cheating on her, 19-year-old Huda ended their relationship. During their time together, both had shared intimate images of themselves. When they broke up, Huda asked that he delete all the images, which he agreed to. Soon after she discovered that her ex-boyfriend had shared those images with his 17-year-old friend. This friend started to harass her, pressurising her to meet up and be their sex slave, otherwise she will be exposed. As she refused to comply they uploaded images of her on to Instagram. She had privately messaged them asking for those images to be taken down, which they had. For fear of not knowing whether those boys had other plans and the panic of family finding out, Huda contacted MWN Helpline seeking advice on what she can do. Following the advice provided she contacted the police to report the incident. 

 

Amel’s story

Amel contacted MWN Helpline in distress. She explained that her ex-boyfriend had created a Facebook group that included her dad and brother. In that group he had posted inflammatory comments that implied she had slept with multiple men, cheated and had sexually transmitted disease. MWN helpline provided a non-judgemental safe space for Amel to share her concerns and what she can do next.

 

Rida’s story

Rida lived in the UK whilst the man she had married resided in Europe. During their short marriage, he had abused her, and when she asked for a divorce he threatened her – would share her private pictures and write things about her on social media. He told her that it would be better for her to end her life than to divorce him. Rida became very frightened and anxious. Being from a conservative Muslim family, she didn’t want her family to come across those private pictures. Contacting MWN Helpline, Rida wanted to know how to safely stop him threatening her and to move forward with a divorce without risking her reputation or safety. 

Online intimate image abuse thrives on silence and under-reporting. Recognising it and stopping this abuse is urgent. 

The calls received on MWN Helpline indicated fear of shame and dishonour were contributing factors silencing Muslim women from reporting online intimate image abuse. Instead the women either tried to quietly resolve the issue themselves or comply with the conditions perpetrators demand from them, causing further harm to their mental health and safety. It also highlighted uncertainty on how to report the abuse and poor awareness of services that can be accessed. The Helpline supported the women to make reports to the relevant authorities.

 

It is clear online intimate image abuse thrives on silence and under-reporting. Recognising it and stopping this abuse is urgent. Here are some tips outlined by UN Women on what you can do if you or someone you know are experiencing online abuse:

1. Block and report - Use reporting tools on social media platforms to cut off contact and file a report to the relevant platform.

2. Stop the spread - Use tools available to remove private images and videos shared without consent, such as  Stop non-consensual image-abuse.

3. Collect evidence - Screenshots, links, time stamps – keep a record. If you choose to report, this information is vital. 

4. Tell someone - Share what’s happening with a friend, family member, or an organisation you trust. 

5. Secure your accounts - Enable two-factor authentication, review privacy settings, and check your devices for spyware or tracking apps. 

6. Seek help - Contact helplines or police units trained to respond to digital violence.

Don’t remain silent, speak up and against digital image abuse. 

Muslim women’s experiences of intimate image abuse may not always meet the legal definition of intimate images. Photos such as without hijab, holding hands or standing next to a male friend are not considered intimate, however there is growing awareness of how culturally sensitive images are being used to manipulate and exert control. Any content shared without consent and with intention to cause a person distress can be reported. Here are organisations to contact for further support:

 

Reporting harmful content – they can help in reporting of anything online which causes a person distress or harm. This can be very subjective depending on who is doing the viewing; what may be harmful to one person might not be considered an issue by someone else.

 

Revenge Porn Helpline – supports victims of intimate image abuse by providing advice and guidance with helping to remove intimate content shared without consent online.

 

StopNCII.org – it is a free tool designed to support victims of intimate image abuse by detecting and removing images from being shared online.

 

UK Safer Internet Centre – resources on how to make the internet a safer space for children and young people.

Culturally Sensitive Helplines - MWN Helpline, Amina and Karma Nirvana can help in empowering minority women to recognise signs of intimate image abuse and how to report.