An investigation into the role of individual, situational, and contextual facilitators and barriers of bystander intervention intent in image-based sexual abuse contexts

Abstract

Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) encompasses the taking, sharing, and making threats to share nude or sexual images of others, without consent. IBSA is an ever-growing problem within our society, and victims of IBSA can experience harms to both physical and mental wellbeing. Current avenues for prevention of this behaviour focus mainly on the use of law and education, both of which have limitations. An additional avenue for prevention is bystander intervention. Research to date shows that many individuals have been a bystander to IBSA, but most do not intervene despite having the opportunity to do so. Therefore, gaining an understanding of what facilitates and inhibits intervention in these contexts is a worthy endeavour. This thesis examines what individual, situational, and contextual factors facilitate and inhibit bystander intervention intent in IBSA contexts. Using a mixed methods approach and an ecological framework to guide this research, a range of facilitators and barriers were identified. In line with past research in sexual violence (SV) contexts, key facilitators of intervention include feelings of responsibility, confidence to intervene, being friends with the victim, greater victim empathy, and more positive social norms towards intervention. Further, key barriers of intervention include fears for safety and audience inhibition. This thesis also identified facilitators and barriers not previously found in SV contexts, as well as those which are unique to IBSA, such as the inhibitive role of self-taken images (i.e., selfies) upon intended bystander intervention. The facilitators and barriers of intervention identified within this thesis have important implications for theory, practice, and future research. In particular, these findings contribute to a growing knowledge base that can be used to develop theory and educational programmes aimed at encouraging greater bystander intervention, which ultimately, will help prevent and minimise the harm experienced by victims of IBSA