Cybercrimes

Background
Sexualized deepfake abuse involves the non-consensual creation, distribution, or threat to create or distribute sexualized imagery that has been digitally altered or entirely fabricated, often with assistance from generative artificial intelligence (AI). Reports of this abuse are increasing globally, as AI tools become more accessible. Although sexualized deepfake abuse has been linked to image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) and technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV), limited research has examined whether it produces distinct harms or explored the perspectives of both victim-survivors and perpetrators.

Objectives
To examine the lived experiences of victim-survivors and perpetrators of sexualized deepfake abuse, including its mental health and wellbeing impacts, and assess whether it produces harms that differ from those documented in the IBSA literature.

Design
Qualitative interview study.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 Australian adults who had either experienced (n = 15) or perpetrated (n = 10) sexualized deepfake abuse. Interviews were undertaken via Zoom using a trauma-informed approach and were analysed thematically.

Results
Sexualized deepfake abuse was associated with substantial psychological, social and occupational harms. Participants described impacts consistent with those reported in IBSA research, including distress, reputational harm, relationship difficulties and reduced wellbeing. However, the findings also identified harms linked to the synthetic nature of deepfakes. Victim-survivors reported anxiety about how others might perceive the authenticity of fabricated images and the burden of disproving false sexual representations. Perpetrator accounts highlighted how the accessibility of deepfake technologies and perceptions of anonymity and reduced accountability lowered barriers to abuse.

Conclusion
Sexualized deepfake abuse produces significant harms that extend beyond those commonly associated with IBSA. The fabricated nature of deepfake content creates unique challenges relating to authenticity, credibility and control. Prevention and intervention efforts should address these distinctive features through platform-level safeguards, technological detection measures and strategies targeting the tools and infrastructures that enable abuse.

Plain language summary
Sexualized deepfake abuse involves the creation, sharing or threat to create or share fake sexual images or videos of a person without their consent. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have made it easier to create realistic deepfakes, raising concerns about their impacts on victim-survivors and the people who create them. While sexualized deepfake abuse is often discussed as a form of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), little is known about whether it causes unique harms. This study interviewed 25 Australian adults, including 15 victim-survivors and 10 perpetrators of sexualized deepfake abuse. We explored their experiences, the impacts of the abuse and the factors that contributed to it. Victim-survivors reported a range of serious harms, including anxiety, depression, embarrassment, social withdrawal, relationship difficulties and impacts on work and study. Many described distress arising from the uncertainty of whether others would believe the deepfake images were fake. Some felt pressure to constantly explain or disprove the fabricated content, creating a sense of loss of control over their identity and reputation. Perpetrators described how AI tools made it easier to create sexualized images without needing real intimate material. Several participants said that the accessibility of the technology, perceptions of anonymity and reduced fear of consequences lowered barriers to offending. The findings suggest that sexualized deepfake abuse shares many impacts with other forms of IBSA, while also creating unique harms linked to the fabricated nature of the content. Victim-survivors may face additional challenges in proving that images are fake and managing damage to their reputation and relationships. These findings highlight the need for stronger prevention and response measures, including platform safeguards, AI detection tools, public awareness initiatives and policies that address the technologies and systems that enable sexualized deepfake abuse.

Relevance

“This paper has shown that sexualized deepfake abuse produces complex and enduring harms that extend across emotional wellbeing, reputation, safety, employment and identity..From a women’s health perspective, the findings highlight substantial psychological impacts, including anxiety, shame, continuous traumatic stress and diminished self-worth. These outcomes reflect the embodied violation of having one’s likeness appropriated in sexually explicit contexts without consent. Consistent with research on IBSA, participants’ accounts indicate that such harms are sustained over time, affecting mental health, identity and social functioning…a key dimension of harm relates to credibility and plausibility…research shows that individuals may continue to rely on or believe deepfake material even after being told it is fabricated…[which] complicates efforts by victim-survivors to contest imagery and contributes to heightened emotional labor and distress.” Furthermore, “Safety concerns extend the impacts of sexualized deepfake abuse into physical and social spaces. Participants described fears of harassment and violence linked to perceptions of sexual availability.”

Citation

Flynn, A., Eaton, A.A., Powell, A., & Scott, A.J. (2026). “There is nothing fake about the harm”: The lived experiences and impacts of sexualized deepfake abuse. Women’s Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261491855