Falsified, Shared, Harmed: Image-Based Sexual Violence in the Digital Space

Image-based sexual violence in the digital space is not a new phenomenon:
What began with the sharing of nude images without consent in school has taken on much greater significance today through the use of AI and social media. Can the law still keep pace with technological developments, and does criminal law even provide adequate protection for victims? We—Amina and Louise from the new DUNKELFELD podcast—discuss this in detail with legal expert Dr. Ronja Sanow. From the Collien Fernandes case to current efforts to reform the Criminal Code and a look at other countries, we explore the current legal landscape and how criminal law could better protect victims in cases involving deepfakes and other forms of image-based sexual violence. We also examine Dr. Ronja Sanow’s specific proposal for a new formulation in the Criminal Code and the legal pitfalls that must be considered when drafting the language.