Background

In the last few years, many countries have introduced laws combating image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), colloquially known as “revenge pornography.” However, the significant growth in the body of literature on the legal perspectives on IBSA, and the media coverage of high profile cases have not been equally met with appreciable victimization studies. Meanwhile, the need for a victim-centered approach in studying IBSA in Nigeria is underscored by the pervasiveness and normalization of sexual violence as a result of societal attitudes about gender and sexuality in the country. Therefore, this study explored the social and psychological implications of IBSA victimization.

Methods

Using qualitative methods, 27 adult women whose sexual images have been non-consensually shared publicly through online channels were purposively selected and interviewed for the study, between September 2019 and April 2020, and a thematic analysis of the participants’ narratives carried out.

Results

Victims of IBSA were found to be subjected to higher social condemnation, stigmatization, and isolation based on greater attribution of blames to them by their social network. Evidences of institutional re-victimization were documented. Victims also reported self-blame, paranoia, anger, guilt, depression, suicidal ideation and attempt in dealing with the abuse, secondary victimization, and social isolation.

Conclusion

IBSA victims are faced with peculiar social and psychological consequences which separate them from victims of other forms of sexual abuse. The study suggests a review of appropriate laws and social policies to prevent IBSA, deploy more victim support services and perpetrator programs, and protect victims from secondary victimization.

中文翻译：

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在文化保守的尼日利亚社会中基于图像的性虐待：女性受害者对心理社会成本的叙述

背景

在过去的几年里，许多国家都出台了打击基于图像的性虐待 (IBSA) 的法律，俗称“报复色情”。然而，关于 IBSA 法律观点的文献数量显着增长，以及媒体对高知名度案件的报道并未得到可观的受害研究。同时，由于社会对性别和性行为的态度导致性暴力的普遍性和正常化，在尼日利亚研究 IBSA 时需要以受害者为中心的方法。因此，本研究探讨了 IBSA 受害的社会和心理影响。

方法

使用定性方法，在 2019 年 9 月至 2020 年 4 月期间，有目的地选择并采访了 27 名通过在线渠道在未经同意的情况下公开分享性图像的成年女性进行研究，并对参与者的叙述进行了主题分析。

结果

IBSA 的受害者被发现受到更高的社会谴责、污名化和孤立，因为他们的社交网络更多地归咎于他们。记录了机构再次受害的证据。受害者还报告了自责、偏执狂、愤怒、内疚、抑郁、自杀意念和试图应对虐待、二次受害和社会孤立。

结论

IBSA 受害者面临着特殊的社会和心理后果，这些后果将他们与其他形式的性虐待的受害者区分开来。该研究建议审查适当的法律和社会政策，以防止 IBSA，部署更多的受害者支持服务和犯罪者计划，并保护受害者免受二次伤害。