The number of cases where someone discloses or threatens to disclose an intimate image has more than doubled with police recording 912 incidents last year - a rate of more than 17 a week. Threatening to send or share a revealing photo of someone without their consent is a crime in Scotland and anyone found guilty of the offence can face up to five years in prison.
The trend has been steadily increasing over the years with Police Scotland recording 421 in 2017/18 - the first year the offence was implemented.
Politicians and charities have called for tougher action on those committing image-based sexual abuse. Former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott has spoken about being a victim of the crime.
The TV presenter, who revealed intimate photos of herself were shared without her consent when she was aged just 14 and 21, said she blamed herself after her 'revenge porn' experience. The reality star said she was left devastated when her naked photos went viral after being posted online following her appearance on Love Island in 2018.
Earlier this year she said: "From my history, from my experience, especially with revenge porn, I blamed myself a lot. And I was scared that I was still going to be blamed by other people.
"A couple of years ago the term revenge porn wasn't known at all, but now an increasing number of people are aware of it and the absolute destruction it can bring. What I have tried to convey with my work with Refuge is that we all need to be aware of what we are sharing, how we are sharing it and who we are sharing it with.”
The shock new figures are revealed in today's justice and social affairs magazine, 1919, who analysed the data.
A spokesperson for Victim Support Scotland told 1919: “The figures surrounding the increase in cases of image-based sexual abuse are significant. Sharing private sexually explicit images online or offline, regardless of the intent, is a criminal offence.
“It is a violation of privacy and many victims often feel humiliated, traumatised and ashamed.” The organisation added that some victims may feel too embarrassed to report the incident to the police, but stressed to anyone affected that “the offender is solely responsible for this type of crime”.
The statistics were revealed in the Scottish Government’s annual recorded crime report. Last year there were 530 cases where an intimate image was disclosed, and a further 382 incidents of the threat to disclose an image.
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Jamie Greene said those convicted of threatening to or disclosing intimate images should be dealt with severely.
“Those who commit such appalling acts deserve serious punishment, and my thoughts are with all victims,” he told 1919. This type of crime can be particularly traumatic for victims as it often involves betrayal by someone they had trusted.
He added: “So it’s imperative that they are thoroughly supported when they interact with our justice system. We should also focus on prevention as sex crimes are at an all-time high under this SNP government. Tackling this rise should be one of their top priorities, as well as supporting victims when they’re brave enough to report such crimes.”
Victim Support Scotland can provide anyone who has experienced image-based sexual abuse with confidential support to empower them to take the next steps. To get in touch, call 0800 160 1985 or visit its website.
To read 1919 please go here: https://1919magazine.co.uk/
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