Characteristics of Image-Based Sexual Abuse Recorded by Police

By Tom Sullivan and Merran McAlister

Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is the threatened or actual capturing or sharing of an intimate image of a person without their consent. This bulletin describes the findings of an analysis of 771 individuals proceeded against by police for IBSA offences in four jurisdictions in 2022–23. Most alleged offenders were males perpetrating IBSA against females, and offenders were most commonly aged 25–34 years. The analysis also identified differences between IBSA subtypes. Alleged offenders were most likely to have distribution offences, and many also had other non-IBSA offences. The bulletin discusses implications for prevention and detection of IBSA offending.

Statistical Bulletin no. 49. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. 2025. 21p.