Nude photos and digital sexual abuse

Digital esexual abuse is when someone takes or shares a sexual photo of you without permission. It is also illegal to threaten to share nude photos or to send unsolicited nude photos.

What is allowed?

There’s nothing wrong with taking and sending a sexual photo of yourself or others if everyone involved agrees to it. There’s a certain risk involved so it’s important that you trust everyone involved.

It is illegal for anyone to record, share, or publish sexual material of you without your permission. The same applies if someone threatens to do these things or pressures you to do them.

It is also a crime if someone sends you a sexual photo of themselves without your permission.

This is usually called digital sexual abuse because most often digital devices are used, such as the internet and smartphones. But the same applies to film photographs or other material that is not digital.

Sometimes this is also called “revenge porn” or image-based sexual abuse but the legal term is a violation of sexual privacy.

Digital sexual abuse

People who experience digital sexual abuse can feel very upset, humiliated, ashamed, and worried. Experiencing digital sexual abuse can have just as severe consequences as sexual abuse in the real world.

Some examples of digital abuse can be someone...

  • sends you unsolicited sexual photos, videos, or messages.
  • takes sexual pictures or videos of you without permission.
  • shares sexual material of you on websites or with others, for example a photo, video, audio recording, or message.
  • shares counterfeit sexual material of you.
  • pressures you to send them nude photos or videos of yourself.
  • threatens to circulate sexual material of you.

It is also illegal to forward sexual material of other people if you don’t know whether the person has given permission. Even if you can send the picture, you shouldn’t do it.

Can teenagers send nude photos of themselves?

It is OK for teenagers aged 15-18 to send sexual material of themselves to others of a similar age and maturity level – if everyone involved consents and trusts each other. There is still always a risk that accompanies sharing a sexual photo with others.

It is always illegal to send a sexual photo to someone who didn’t ask for it, for example a dick pic.

Children cannot give consent and it is always illegal when adults (over 18) make sexual materials involving children (under 18) or send them sexual material.

Here is advice for children and teenagers who experience harassment online.

A person sits in front of a laptop with their hands over their face. Behind them is a thunderous cloud.

Nude photos and digital sexual abuse against teenagers

It can be a risk taking and sending a sexual picture of yourself or others but it is okay if everyone involved wants to. When it is done through pressuring someone or without permission it is illegal.

Manneskja situr flötum beinum á gólfinu með annan fótinn krossaðan yfir. Hún er leið á svip og með lokuð augun. Hún er með dökkt sítt hár, er í blárri peysu, dökkum buxum og brúnum skóm. Hún heldur hægri hendinni upp að eyranu en heldur farsímannum upp fyrir framan sig í vinstri hendinni.

Nude photos and digital sexual abuse against children

Taking or sending sexual photos or videos of children is illegal.

Responses to illegal sexual photos

Do you need a reply for when someone sends you a nude photo that you didn’t ask for? Or when someone asks you to send a nude photo of yourself? Here are ideas for replies that say what is illegal.

Get help

It is always better to tell someone if you have experienced abuse, no matter how long ago it was. You can contact Stígamót, an organisation that helps people 18 years and older who have experienced sexual abuse. Children and teenagers under 20 can get advice on the webchat Sjúkt spjall.

Stígamót

Stígamót helps people of all genders who have been sexually abused.

The Sick Love Chat

The Sick love chat is an anonymous chat for young people who seek advice about their relationships, communication or violence.

Taktu skrefið

Taktu skrefið (Take the step) is a group of psychologists that help people that are worried about their sexual behaviour or have sexually abused someone.

An interview room at Bjarkarhlíð

Bjarkarhlíð

Bjarkarhlíð is a center for people who have experienced abuse. There you get all the support and counseling you need in one place. All assistance is on your terms.

More information

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is when someone touches you inappropriately or sexually, or forces you to perform a sexual act against your will. Sexual harassment with words or action is also abuse.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is when someone oversteps sexual boundaries.

A woman looks at her phone.

Digital abuse

Digital abuse is when someone uses technology or technological devices to monitor, harass, threaten, or humiliate you.

Sextortion

Sextortation is blackmail using sexual content. When someone wants you do to something and threatens to expose your or show others things you don’t want people to see, then they are using sextortation against you.

Consent

Giving consent of one’s own free will is necessary in sex and sexual activities. Anything else is sexual abuse.