Horror in Digital Spaces: AI-Generated Pornographic Images as a Form of Online Gender-based Violence (OGBV)
The recent public revelation by X user @elybaeraq showing her experience of filing a police report against the perpetrator who was selling AI-generated pornographic images of her reveals a critical digital safety issue affecting women and minors. This post garnered thousands of engagements, with many women sharing similar experiences. Based on what was shared, KRYSS Network and Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) are deeply concerned about the lack of awareness for survivors in seeking access for support.
As reported by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), there has been a significant surge in AI-generated explicit content, with 1,225 images removed as of December 1, 2024. Perpetrators are increasingly producing and circulating these images for profit, exploiting technological advancements to target women and minors.
KRYSS Network and WAO emphasize that the creation, distribution, and monetisation of AI-generated pornographic images, especially involving minors, is a criminal offence under Section 293 of the Penal Code (relating to the distribution and production of obscene materials) and Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (relating to making, producing, or directing the production of child pornography).
Establishing the nature of AI-generated pornographic images is important to contextualize how this is an act of Online Gender-based Violence (OGBV). OGBV can be defined as any form of gender-based violence that is assisted by technology or online-based platforms like Artificial Intelligence (AI) or social media. It is an issue that not many are aware of, and when faced with instances such as AI-generated pornographic images, victims and/or survivors face challenges responding to the matters. As OGBV is an emerging crime, it can be a struggle for authorities to appropriately handle these cases as well.
It is critical to acknowledge the severity of OGBV, which has a wide range of impacts, from mental to physical health, and personal relationships with others. OGBV can lead to a loss of focus in work or studies and withdrawal from social engagements due to the shame and stigma they may face.
Online Gender-based Violence (OGBV) Toolkit
To support survivors, KRYSS Network released the OGBV Toolkit as a resource to assist victims to understand what they are going through, recognise their rights, and to increase public awareness on OGBV. Under the OGBV Toolkit, several areas are covered, including:
- Explanation of what OGBV is
- The different types of OGBV and what to do in those specific situations
- The first response to OGBV
- Understanding the laws that protect victims and survivors
- Reporting mechanisms for social media platforms; and
- Further support to be explored
We hope that victims and survivors of OGBV are provided with the necessary support and resources, and we urge for continued advocacy against online gender-based violence in digital spaces. This is not merely a women’s issue, but a critical digital safety issue affecting women and minors in our interconnected online world.
For more information, you can reach out to Abdullah Nishad, Advocacy and Outreach Officer, KRYSS Network, at +60 12-770 2079 or abdullahnishad@kryss.network, and Tamyra Selvarajan, Advocacy Officer, Women’s Aid Organisation, at +60 13-205 3237 or tamyra@wao.org.my.
Endorsed by:
- Women Centre for Change (WCC) Penang
- All Women’s Actions Society (AWAM)
- Perak Women for Women Society (PWW)
- Justice for Sisters (JFS)
- People Like Us Hang Out (PLUHO)
- Association of Women Lawyers (AWL)
- Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
- Sisters in Islam (SIS)
- Tenaganita
- Family Frontiers