This National Child Protection Week, Victoria Police is urging young people to be considerate about sharing intimate images of themselves online and to make a report if it happens without their consent.
It is illegal to share an explicit image or video of someone without their consent in Victoria – yet police are still seeing it occur, particularly among those under the age of 18.
Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show intimate image-based offences involving victims under the age of 18 have increased by 24 per cent in the year to March 2024.
There were 310 intimate image-based offences involving victims under the age of 18 during this period, compared to 251 the year prior.
Detectives from the Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Investigation Teams (SOCIT) and Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), which is comprised of both Victoria Police and AFP investigators, have been working tirelessly to investigate reports of the crime and support victims.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Colbert, Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team said the reality is young people these days are sharing intimate images – and it is their choice whether or not they do so – so we really need to be having positive conversations with the young people in our lives about it.
“Things like, do you really know who you are sharing intimate images with, don’t include your face in the image, don’t have backgrounds where you can identify what school you go to or where you are,” he said.
In concerning trends identified by investigators, explicit photos and videos of underage students, shared with consent at the time, are later being further circulated online via social media to other students, this time without the person’s permission.
Other cases can include young couples, who, after ending a relationship, might then intentionally share intimate images of the other party for revenge or other reasons, without that person’s consent.
Detective Senior Sergeant Miro Majstorovic, Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Investigation Team said protecting young people from harm is a priority for them at Victoria Police.
“Sharing intimate images of someone without their consent is a crime – and it needs to stop,” he said.
“We are urging young people to be aware of the risks of sharing intimate images of themselves and to please speak up – whether it’s to a parent, school teacher or police – if they find themselves in a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable.
“The more we know – the more we can do something about it and keep victims safe.”
Victoria Police wants to make it clear that sharing an explicit image of someone without their consent is never acceptable, it is against the law and those who choose to engage in this kind of reprehensible behaviour will be caught and held accountable for their actions.
Both SOCIT and JACET detectives are regularly visiting schools across the state to ensure students, teachers, parents and school staff know how and where to seek help.
The visits include presentations on what the crime involves and advice to students, teachers, parents and school staff about what to do if a young person is subject to any type of this concerning behaviour or discloses information about a situation of this kind that has made them feel uncomfortable.
If you, the young person in your life, or anyone you know has had their intimate images shared without their consent, speak to the police, or if you would prefer, use online forums such as ReportCyber and the ESafety Commissioner which will assess the report and provide them to police.
Even if you do not wish to make a formal report, police can still assist you in seeking further support.
Victoria Police is committed to reducing the harms associated with the non-consensual sharing or distribution of intimate images and continues to work collaboratively with national and interstate partners to address this type of criminal activity.
Detective Senior Sergeant Colbert said with open lines of communication, you’ll be more approachable in the eyes of your child if something doesn’t feel right and they do need help. And critically, if something does go wrong online and their intimate image is shared without consent – know how to support your child and to report it.
“The psychological anguish this type of offending can have on young people can be really significant,” he said.
Anyone who contacts the police will be supported and treated with respect, courtesy and dignity.
If you receive someone’s intimate images, please contact police. Do not share the images further.
Social media sites are best placed to remove illegal and harmful online content on their platforms.
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner can also assist with the removal of illegal and harmful online content. Report image-based abuse | eSafety Commissioner
When social media sites, such as Facebook and Instagram, detect images of a child under 18 they are mandated to make a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.
