Without centring victim-survivors, image-based abuse laws fall short

Without centring victim-survivors, image-based abuse laws fall short

Australia has committed to strengthening its legal response to image-based sexual abuse in recent years, but many victim-survivors report it still fails to deliver meaningful outcomes. An RMIT expert explains the need for these systems to better engage with victim-survivors on stronger reforms.

PhD graduate Gemma Stevens:

"Centring victim-survivors lived experiences is essential if Australia is to deliver responses to image-based sexual abuse that are not just lawful, but genuine. 

"Victim-survivors frequently describe the criminal legal process as replicating or mirroring the harms they initially sought redress for – namely shame, disbelief, and retraumatisation. 

"They reveal a desire to not only be believed, but for that belief to be followed by some form of action or response. For example, the swift removal of images online, proactive and genuine apologies or a show of remorse from perpetrators, and meaningful consequences for perpetrators. 

"Coordinated reforms are urgently needed across legal, policy, educational, and technological domains. These changes would include specialist police training, comprehensive consent-based education, and expanded access to alternative pathways for redress and support. 

"The key question is not about whether a single ‘correct’ pathway to justice exists, but whether our current systems can meaningfully engage with victim-survivors' diverse and evolving interests."

Gemma Stevens is a criminologist and works as a research assistant at the Social Equity Research Centre at RMIT University in Australia. Gemma explores issues relating to image-based sexual abuse, sexual violence, AI and technology-facilitated violence. 

Gemma will be conferred at the RMIT doctoral degrees graduation ceremony on Wednesday 13 May. 

***

General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

11 May 2026

Share

11 May 2026

Share

Related News

aboriginal flag float-starttorres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information