“For too long the government’s approach to tackling image-based abuse has been piecemeal and ineffective. This crisis demands more.”
Jodie has an necessary message for anybody who desires to help the marketing campaign: “Together, we can end image-based abuse. Please help me by signing and sharing this petition.”
In 2023, GLAMOUR launched a groundbreaking consent survey, in partnership with Refuge and Rape Disaster, which requested over 3000 ladies about their attitudes in direction of sexual consent. Of all of the findings – which you’ll be able to learn in full right here – we have been horrified to study that 91% of GLAMOUR readers assume deepfake know-how poses a menace to the security of girls.
Earlier this yr, we took our findings to parliament, internet hosting a roundtable in partnership with Greg Clark, then the Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells and Chair of the Science, Innovation, and Know-how Committee, to discover what politicians and tech firms can do to cease deepfake abuse.
Barely a month later, we had our first marketing campaign win. The federal government introduced proposals to criminalise the creation of deepfake pornography. Sadly, within the wake of the overall election, this promise by no means got here to fruition.
In June 2024, GLAMOUR formally launched our marketing campaign, in partnership with EVAW, Not Your Porn, and Professor Clare McGlynn, to introduce a complete Picture-Primarily based Abuse Legislation.
Rebecca Hitchen, Head of Coverage & Campaigns on the Finish Violence Towards Girls Coalition (EVAW), says, “Image-based abuse is deeply harmful and a growing threat to women and girls. By signing this petition, you are telling the government to take urgent action to protect survivors and prevent other women and girls from being targeted.
The technology that is enabling perpetrators to create, share and widely disseminate abusive images is constantly evolving at a rapid pace, which is why tackling the issue needs to be underpinned by a comprehensive law that holds both perpetrators and tech platforms accountable and provides specialist support and individual redress for survivors, alongside working towards a better future through prevention.”
Professor Clare McGlynn says, “Current laws on image-based abuse are complicated and confusing, with huge gaps, leaving survivors with few options to take back control of their lives and secure some sense of justice. We need a comprehensive image-based abuse law that recognises the nature and extent of this abuse and sets out an ambition to eradicate it.
There have been recent improvements in the law, but they are not comprehensive, with many survivors falling between the gaps in the law. The delays in acting are no longer acceptable.”
Elena Michael, Director of Not Your Porn, says, “The time to act is now. A comprehensive system to tackle image-based abuse is long overdue. The Online Safety Act doesn’t go far enough, although it is a starting piece in the jigsaw puzzle. Survivors can’t be expected to do all the work to protect themselves even though this is essentially what they are having to do because of the gaps in the law.
The five ‘asks’ in this campaign are shaped by the needs and experiences of survivors – this is what they need as an absolute minimum, and we will keep calling for it until the government listens.”
*Names and a few particulars have been modified to guard victims and survivors’ identities and security.
Revenge Porn Helpline gives recommendation, steering and help to victims of intimate image-based abuse over the age of 18 who dwell within the UK. You possibly can name them on 0345 6000 459.
The Cyber Helpline gives free, professional assist and recommendation to individuals focused by on-line crime and hurt within the UK and USA.
For extra from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, observe her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.
