In May 2020, we shared our thoughts on why the term “revenge porn” is misleading and does not reflect the motivation, nature and harms of this despicable act.
Along with the social media content sharing, we also organised a hour and half long webinar on the same topic. Our host and discussants talk about the politics around Non-consensual Dissemination of Intimate Images (NCII), women’s bodily autonomy, sexuality, consent and technology. The discussions are summarised briefly as follows:-
1. The slippery slope between NCII and pornography, and; classification of NCII as porn presumed women’s body as an object for sexual gratification.
2. Women who exercise their autonomy in expressing their sexuality is often victim-blamed & punished by society.
3. The motivation behind NCII is not always revenge, they includes peer pressure, ‘joke’, as a way to gain social capital, money.
4. NCII is a form of sexual assault and has very real impact and harm on our physical being.
5. The complicity of technology in aggravating the harms & the bystander effect.
6. A survivor-centric approach to combating NCII is needed.
7. Existing laws that criminalise NCII tend to stem from the need to protect a woman’s morality rather on the violation of bodily autonomy and integrity.
