Sharon Gaffka, a public figure and ambassador for Refuge, discovered a disturbing reality lurking online. It wasn't criticism of her appearance or opinions, but something far more insidious: a hidden corner of the internet dedicated to the sexualization of her images. The discovery left her reeling, a chilling reminder of the vulnerability women face in the digital age.
What she found wasn’t commentary on her public life, but deeply personal images – stills and videos of her speaking out against domestic abuse and gender-based violence – twisted and exploited by strangers. These were not glamorous photoshoots, but moments of advocacy, perverted for malicious intent. Despite reporting the online space where this abuse occurred, Sharon harbors a grim belief: those responsible will likely never face consequences.
This personal violation underscores a wider, alarming trend. Freedom of Information requests sent to police forces across England and Wales reveal a significant surge in intimate image abuse offenses. Reported cases jumped nearly 27% in just three years, rising from 4,058 to 5,151 between 2021 and 2025.
However, the increase in reported crimes isn’t matched by an increase in successful prosecutions. In fact, the percentage of cases leading to a charge or summons has actually *decreased*, falling from 5.8% to just 4.5% over the same period. A staggering number of identified perpetrators – 56% of all cases – face no charges whatsoever.
The situation is particularly disheartening given recent legislative changes, including the Domestic Abuse Act and the introduction of the ‘threat to share’ offense. Despite these advancements, Refuge’s specialist team hasn’t yet supported a single survivor whose perpetrator has been successfully convicted. This highlights a critical gap between law and enforcement.
Refuge is now urgently calling for systemic improvements within law enforcement. They advocate for mandatory, consistent training for police officers and criminal justice agencies to ensure intimate image abuse is treated with the seriousness it deserves. A lack of understanding and appropriate response can leave survivors feeling unheard and unprotected.
The responsibility doesn’t solely lie with the police. Refuge also emphasizes the need for tech companies to be held accountable for the harmful content that proliferates on their platforms. They must actively work to prevent the spread of non-consensual intimate images and swiftly remove them when reported.
Recent government amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill aim to address this, potentially holding tech executives criminally liable if their companies fail to comply with removal orders issued by Ofcom. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated the government is “uncompromising” in its commitment to protecting women and girls online.
These legislative steps, including a 48-hour removal window for reported images, represent a crucial shift. But true empowerment for women and girls online requires a fundamental change in how technology is used and regulated, ensuring safety isn’t sacrificed for convenience or profit. It demands a collective commitment to a digital world where everyone can exist without fear of exploitation.
