UCDSU are to write to Minister Helen McEntee to call for legislation on image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) and revenge porn, prompted by the recent discovery of a server through which over 10,000 sexually explicit images of Irish women and girls were shared without their consent.
UCDSU joins a multitude of groups and individuals in calling for the introduction of legislation on IBSA, including the mother of Dara Quigley, who died of suicide after an inncident of IBSA in 2017. They are to write to Minister Helen McEntee calling for this legislation following their panel discussion on the topic on December 1st, to ensure that they can represent the will of as many as possible when communicating with the minister.
This letter is to address the specifics of the legislation, as at present Minister McEntee has already stated that she will be bringing forward legislation that will make it illegal to share intimate images without the consent of those involved “regardless of the motivation of the person who passes them on”.
Speaking to The University Observer, the UCDSU Welfare Officer Ruairí Power explains the intention of this delay: “It is important that any representations made to the Minister are informed by the content of the discussion first and foremost. We want to use this time to speak to those impacted and follow their guidance on what they need [to be] brought to the Minister. We will, however, emphasise the need for the Minister to meet with the activists in order to devise any necessary amendments to Brendan Howlin’s bill.”
As it stands, the SU does not have a mandate to support students in calls for such legislation, however, UCDSU Campaigns and Engagement Officer, Leighton Gray, has informed the paper that a motion is to be brought forward in council by themself and Power to campaign for revenge porn legislation.
The server holding the images was based on the messaging and media sharing platform Discord and was discovered on November 18th. At that point, the folder in question had been downloaded close to 500 times. It allegedly contained images taken without individuals knowledge in changing rooms, intimate images intended for personal use, as well as stolen images from Irish OnlyFans accounts. On Wednesday the 25th it was announced by the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris that no criminal investigations are currently underway regarding this leak, as no crimes had been disclosed to the Gardaí.
Since this announcement was made, statements from individuals impacted by this server have circulated online about their experiences attempting to make formal complaints with the Gardaí, who were then told that no complaint can be made without providing a link to the material in question, something which cannot be done as the server has since been deleted from Discord.
When asked about the Gardaí response, Gray responded “The Gardaí response to this abuse is yet another sign of systemic misogyny, and the state once again abdicating its responsibility to protect women from abuse. To say there isn’t any evidence is dismissive towards the groups of people giving up to a TB of files and statements, where victims have identified photos of themselves as minors”.
This sentiment is one echoed by many, who maintain that this discovery is emblematic of the nature of sexism in Irish society, with women coming forward with stories of having intimate photos leaked, having photos taken nonconsensually, and being pressured or blackmailed into taking intimate photos. This is reinforced by the fact that, unlike in the UK, IBSA is not a crime in Ireland, which is one of the theories as to why Irish women were specifically targeted in this server.
This news also comes alongside a recent press release from Women’s Aid Ireland, following a national survey which found that 1 in 5 young women are victims of abuse, and 1 in 2 abused women specifically experienced abuse online including taking, sharing and threatening to share intimate images without their consent, with 51% of young women who experienced abuse being under 18 years of age when it began.
The Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, Sarah Benson, said as part of this release “As a society, we cannot continue to stand over a situation where such a significant number of young women, many minors, are deeply harmed and traumatised at the hands of current or former intimate partners. It is not the entry into adulthood that we want or imagine for our young people.”
“We need regulation, we need legislation, we need more in-depth research and extensive education and awareness campaigns – including in schools. Most of all, as a community we need to ensure responsibility lies with the perpetrator and to say loudly and clearly to anyone affected by intimate relationship abuse that yes, it’s abuse; it is never okay; it is not your fault, and you will be believed and supported.”
When asked about the SU’s stance on the leaked images, Gray said “This leak is another stark reminder of the prevalence of misogyny, sexual abuse, and ‘lad culture’ that still runs rampant in Ireland. It is utterly disappointing, but unfortunately, not surprising. UCDSU believe the victims of this leak. We stand in solidarity with those whose trust and consent was violated.”
If you have been impacted by image based sexual abuse or are struggling, you can contact:
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre: 1800 778 888
Women’s Aid 1800 341 900
UCD Student Counselling Service 01 716 3134