BEYOND PRIVACY: FAMILY LAW AND NON-CONSENSUAL INTIMATE IMAGE REGULATION

Abstract The non-consensual dissemination of intimate images or videos, commonly referred to as "revenge porn," has become increasingly recognized as a manifestation of gender-based violence. The term "image-based sexual abuse" (IBSA) is used to underscore the violation of consent rather than any supposed motive of "revenge" when someone releases or threatens to release private, sexually explicit pictures without permission. This abuse is especially harmful in family or intimate partner situations because abusers often use trust or coercive control to their advantage, use images as leverage during divorces or custody disputes, and humiliate and blackmail their victims. During the 2020–2025 period, European law evolved rapidly. The European Union adopted its first directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence (Directive 2024/1385), national legislatures created or expanded offences, courts issued landmark judgments and scholars highlighted persistent gaps overlapping civil and criminal law frameworks.