Image Based Abuse
NDII
Nonconsensual distribution of intimate images involves someone sharing or threatening to share private sexual images or videos of another person without their consent. Also known as image-based sexual abuse, it includes the crime of sextortion and the relevant images can be real or deepfakes (artificially created images or videos).
Prevalance
1 in 7
people in the US have had intimate images shared without their consent.
1 in 3
LGBTQ+ people have experienced image-based sexual abuse.
$8M
in losses from sextortion reported to the FBI by Americans in just 7 months.
How does it happen?
In some cases of NDII, offenders distribute or threaten to distribute private images that were originally shared consensually, e.g. during a relationship. In others, the images may be obtained via covert behaviors such as secretly recording someone, or even created using artificial intelligence (e.g. deepfakes, nudification apps). Victims of NDII may receive threats of having images or videos of them distributed unless they pay money or perform certain acts, a behavior known as sextortion.
Laws
All forms of NDII are serious violations of privacy and can cause significant emotional harm. All 50 states have laws prohibiting NDII in some form, but the scope of these statutes differs by jurisdiction. See our map of state laws for more detailed information.
What to do
If you or someone you know is a target of NDII, you are not alone. Explore curated resources for responding to NDII below. You can also visit the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, one of NRCC’s primary partners, for more information.
Resources
Need immediate help with nonconsensual distribution of intimate images? Explore curated resources below and see more in our resource library.
Direct service for victims.
Prevent private photos from being posted on public platforms.
Generate takedown letters using a resource from Chayn.
Assess a survivor’s needs using this CCRI intake guide.