Police Routinely Fail to Investigate Image-Based Abuse

Police forces across England and Wales are routinely failing to investigate complaints concerning the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, a form of abuse previously referred to as "revenge pornography." This systemic failure has prompted lawyers to file a super-complaint, a formal mechanism used to challenge the way public bodies handle specific issues. The complaint is based on research that has gathered evidence from 100 individuals who reported their intimate images being circulated online without their consent.

According to the findings, image-based abuse is frequently dismissed by law enforcement or not recognized as a criminal offense. This is occurring despite previous acknowledgments of the severity of the issue, with former Prime Minister Keir Starmer having described it as a "national emergency." The research indicates a significant gap between the legal framework and its practical application by police forces in addressing these crimes. The super-complaint aims to highlight these deficiencies and push for systemic improvements in how such cases are handled.

The lawyers involved in gathering the evidence have meticulously documented instances where victims reported the sharing of intimate images, only to have their cases inadequately investigated or dismissed entirely. This lack of action can have devastating consequences for victims, exacerbating the trauma and leaving them feeling unprotected by the justice system. The super-complaint process allows for a thorough review of the practices of relevant public bodies, in this case, police forces, and can lead to recommendations for significant reform.

Image-based abuse, which includes the sharing of intimate photos or videos without consent, has been a growing concern for years. Legislation has been introduced to criminalize such acts, yet the effectiveness of these laws is undermined if they are not consistently enforced. The research underpinning the super-complaint suggests that a lack of training, resources, or a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of image-based abuse may be contributing to the problem. The filing of this complaint signifies a critical juncture in the fight against this form of digital abuse, demanding accountability and a more robust response from law enforcement agencies.