Victims of intimate image abuse are expressing frustration over the lack of justice as the number of cases continues to rise, while perpetrators avoid facing consequences. According to recent data, instances of this abuse increased by 26.9% from July 2021 to June 2025, jumping from 4,058 to 5,151 reported offenses.
Shockingly, an average of nearly 15 offenses were reported each day last year alone. However, statistics obtained by the charity Refuge using Freedom of Information laws show a concerning trend: the percentage of cases resulting in a charge or summons decreased from 5.8% in 2021/22 to 4.5% in 2024/25.
Despite authorities knowing the identities of suspects, only 4.8% (1,047) of the 21,905 reported offenses over the five-year span led to charges or summonses. Alarmingly, 56% (12,265) of cases saw no charges filed, and 25% (5,417) did not progress due to lack of evidence.
In light of the fifth anniversary of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Sharon Gaffka, a Refuge ambassador and former Love Island contestant, shared her personal experience as a survivor of intimate image abuse. Gaffka emphasized the real and severe impact this crime has on women and girls, calling for stronger accountability for perpetrators to ensure survivors’ safety and well-being.
Refuge’s Emma Pickering highlighted the ongoing failure to support survivors of intimate image abuse, stressing the urgent need for improved police responses to address this serious crime. The high-profile case involving reality TV personality Georgia Harrison and her ex-partner Stephen Bear, who posted intimate images without her consent, brought attention to the issue.
Efforts have been made to address the issue, including legislative changes removing the requirement for intent to cause distress in cases of non-consensual sharing of intimate images. However, the stark disparity between the high number of reports and low charge rates underscores the need for significant improvements in police handling of these cases.
The government has taken steps to combat this issue, with plans to enforce the rapid removal of non-consensual intimate images by tech companies and the establishment of the Policing AI Threat Hub to combat AI misuse for criminal purposes. Mandatory police training is deemed crucial to ensure women and girls feel supported and receive appropriate responses when reporting intimate image abuse.
The Domestic Abuse Act, enacted on April 29, 2021, following Refuge’s campaign, aims to protect individuals from threats related to sharing intimate images. Authorities are working to address this growing problem and enhance protections for victims of intimate image abuse.
