Sexualized violence through images

Every person in Germany has the right to sexual self-determination and the right to their own image. These rights can be massively violated by certain types of behavior. For example, if someone creates or distributes intimate or sex-related image content without the permission of the person concerned. This topic explains the various forms of image-based sexualized violence and the role played by the abusive use of artificial intelligence (deepnudes, deepfakes). On this page, we also provide tips and show possible courses of action for those affected and their supporters.

We speak of "image-based sexualized violence" when one or more of the following situations occur. Digital technologies are deliberately used to disseminate intimate and sex-related media content without the  

1. disseminate without the consent of the person concerned,
2. create such content without the consent of the person concerned,
3. threaten their dissemination.

The media content may be images or videos. In specialist circles, this is also referred to as "image-based sexual abuse" (IBSA). On the subpages Dissemination of sexualized images, Creation of sexualized images and Blackmail with sexualized images you will find detailed information and examples that fall under Image-based sexualized violence .

The term "image-based sexualized violence" makes clear the extent and the considerable damage suffered by those affected, including the violation of their dignity, sexual privacy and autonomy. This damage can have a negative impact on their mental health. One thing is certain: Sexualized violence through images is a form of abuse and is highly stressful for those affected.

The manipulation of media content is not a new phenomenon. Not even in the area of intimate and sexual images. Programs such as Photoshop, for example, revolutionized digital image editing back in the 1990s, opening up new ways of creating "fakes". Tools like these made it possible for "professional" image editing to find its way into private households beyond the purely expert circle. Nevertheless, the use of such editing programs was always associated with a certain amount of know-how, cost and time. However, artificial intelligence, or more precisely, advances in the field of generative AI, havefundamentally changedthe possibilities of manipulation today .  

Generative AI technologies make it possible for media content such as texts, images, videos or audio recordings to be modified and even artificially produced. The special thing about this is above all the mass and increasingly high quality of the manipulated image content.Online, anyone can easily gain access to numerous AI tools, which are initially free in the trial version. With just a few clicks , any amount of content can be created within a very short time. In most cases, not much prior technical knowledge  is required to use such applications. Depending on how good the program is, the quality of the results is quite high. Artificially generated content is then difficult to distinguish from real images. 

Of course, AI-based tools can be used positively and sensibly. However, they are also increasingly being misused. For example, to generate sexual images and videos of people. Against this backdrop, deepnudes and deepfake porn are increasingly becoming a problem.

For many of those affected, it does not matter whether the images are "real" or fakes created with the help of AI. They are at the mercy of a situation in which they are deliberately exposed and humiliated. Once such images or videos are in circulation, this can be extremely damaging to the reputation of the person concerned or even result in social exclusion. At school, at home, when looking for a job and at work. Those affected are therefore always accompanied by the fear that others could see this content. Even if is "only" fake: The better the fakes are, the harder it is to convince others that the content is not true.

We have endeavored to formulate the tips here in general terms so that they are helpful for as large a group as possible. Therefore, please bear in mind when reading that it makes a big differencewhether the persons concerned are children, young people or adults. Abusive images of children are legally considered child pornography and are subject to an absolute ban on possession and distribution. Young people (persons between the ages of 14 and 18) are also particularly protected by law in Germany. So if you are confronted with intimate images of children or young people, find out about the correct procedure from reporting offices or the police. It is important that you do not make yourself liable to prosecution. You can find basic information on this in our article "How to react correctly to depictions of abuse online".

Here, too, we have tried to formulate the tips for those affected by image-based sexualized violence in general terms so that they are helpful for as large a group as possible. So please bear in mind when reading that it makes a big differencewhether the victims are children, young people or adults. Abusive images of children are legally considered child pornography and are subject to an absolute ban on possession and distribution. Young people (persons between the ages of 14 and 18) are also particularly protected by law in Germany.

If someone is affected by sexualized violence through images, it is advisable to first seek advice from counseling centers about what the right course of action is. The police are also a possible point of contact. You can also find initial information in our article "How to react correctly to images of abuse online". Among other things, it explains to what extent evidence should be secured and what options are available forreporting and reporting content to .