Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is the threatened or actual capturing or sharing of an intimate image of a person without their consent. This behaviour is sometimes described as ‘revenge porn’, although this term is controversial and
can be misleading. This bulletin describes the findings of an analysis of 771 individuals proceeded against by police for IBSA offences in four jurisdictions in 2022–23: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Victoria. 

Each Australian state and territory has legislation that criminalises some or all types of IBSA. However, criminal proceedings against IBSA offenders depend on incidents being recorded by police, and research suggests only a portion of IBSA victimisation is reported to police.

This bulletin examines the characteristics of alleged IBSA offenders and their victims and then explores the characteristics and patterns of offending of people proceeded against for IBSA. The analysis also identified differences between IBSA subtypes. The bulletin discusses implications for prevention and detection of IBSA offending. It underlines the need for tailored responses to IBSA behaviours.

Key findings

• Most alleged offenders were males perpetrating IBSA against females.
• Offenders were most commonly aged 25–34 years.
• Alleged offenders were most likely to have distribution offences, and many also had other non-IBSA offences.