Joint statement on preventing and responding to non-consensual intimate image (NVII) abuse
Today, on this Human Rights Day and in the context of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the undersigned partners of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse call attention to the urgent need to counter the creation, sharing and dissemination of non-consensual intimate images (NCII) as well as to provide victim/survivor centred resources and responses. NCII abuse is an alarming and increasing form of violence that undermines dignity, safety, and enjoyment of rights in the digital environment. It affects the whole population, including men and boys, and disproportionally affects women, girls and LGBTQI+ individuals in all their diversity.
NCII abuse includes the posting or sharing of private sexual or nude images without consent, and threats to do so. It also encompasses the use of technology, including generative-AI, to manipulate or create synthetic images, including deepfakes. It is increasingly being recognised as a crime in different countries, and helpline data indicates that millions of adult women worldwide may be impacted every year. The advent of generative-AI has compounded the scale and scope of NCII abuse. Reportedly, 98% of deepfake videos online are sexually explicit and 99% of those target women and girls. Since 2019, a 550% rise in deepfakes has been seen, and one hotline reports a 400% rise in AI generated child sexual abuse material over 2025.
These numbers paint only part of the picture as many incidents of NCII abuse go unreported due to shame, fear of retaliation, stigma, absence of trust in enforcement mechanisms, or an absence of proper reporting or legal mechanisms or resources to support victims/survivors. More data is necessary to gauge the real magnitude of the challenge.
We support further research to strengthen the evidence base on NCII abuse, including its prevalence, underlying motivations, perpetrator behaviour, resulting harms and effective remedies (including criminal charges). Such research should be informed by survivors’ experiences and voices.
Breaking the cycle of NCII requires fostering a culture of consent, respect and gender equality. We likewise support efforts to call attention to NCII abuse and its effects through awareness raising campaigns, as well through education and digital literacy efforts, aimed at promoting safe and beneficial online behaviours, healthy relationships and gender-equal attitudes, and that can equip individuals with the tools to recognise, prevent and respond to NCII.
We recognise that research, education, and awareness raising efforts benefit from multi-stakeholder voices, including from international organisations, governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, youth and victim/survivor perspectives to ensure that these efforts are context-specific, survivor-centred and reach those most at risk.
We emphasise that NCII abuse constitutes a risk to individuals’ safety as well as a serious violation of privacy, dignity and equality, and it must be addressed accordingly. Building on existing progress on efforts to criminalise NCII abuse, including Article 16 of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime adopted in 2024, (without prejudice to fundamental constitutional principles in Member States, related to freedom of the press and freedom of expression) we support the adoption of comprehensive legal frameworks that: i) clearly define NCII, ii) criminalise selling, distributing, transmitting, publishing or otherwise making NCII available, iii) ensure victim/survivor support measures, and iv) enhance cross-border cooperation given the global nature of NCII dissemination.
We stress the importance of harmonising legal definitions and procedures across jurisdictions to avoid impunity. Effective administration of laws should include, when possible, appropriate and proportionate, well-resourced enforcement mechanisms, and training for law enforcement and the judiciary (with due regard to their independence) on digital evidence, survivor-centred approaches, and accessible reporting and removal mechanisms that minimise re-traumatisation. Dedicated support services – including accessible legal aid and psychosocial counselling – are likewise essential to ensure that victims/survivors can safely access justice.
Digital service providers, including platforms, apps and hosting services, bear a critical responsibility in preventing, detecting and responding to NCII abuse. We call on the private sector to consider committing to a Safety-by-Design approach in developing and deploying platforms and technologies as well as greater investment in Trust and Safety. As a matter of urgency, digital service providers should have in place robust policies and practices that prioritise user safety, including through the use of proactive tools to detect and remove NCII content, effective reporting mechanisms and appeals processes, transparency reports on their NCII-related practices, and collaboration with law enforcement, regulators, civil society and researchers, and victims/survivors of NCII.
We encourage the use of innovative technical measures such as the hashing of intimate images as well as the sharing of best practices. Cooperation between platforms is also essential to prevent re-uploading of identified material across services, thereby limiting the continued circulation of harmful content and reducing the burden on survivors. Collaboration between platforms and national jurisdictions is also key to identifying perpetrators for both criminal charges and to prevent recidivist account creation across platforms.
We reaffirm our commitment to gender equality, human rights and safe digital environments for everyone. We urge governments, the private sector, most notably tech platforms, civil society, international organisations, and all stakeholders to join us to prevent, detect and respond to NCII abuse. Together, we can ensure that all women, girls and LGBTQI+ persons can participate in public and private life free from technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
The text of the following joint statement was released by the Governments of Australia (eSafety Commissioner), Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Iceland, Montenegro, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.