Image Based Sexual Abuse & Sextortion
Navigating Digital Safety: A Resource
The increasingly prominent role of technology in our daily lives means the practice of digital safety has never been more important. The growing issues of image based sexual abuse and sextortion make this abundantly clear. While these kinds of abuse are not new, the explosion of digital and online platforms give offenders greater opportunity to reach and target victims. This toolkit offers a high-level overview of image based sexual abuse, with special attention given to sextortion. It also provides resources and support information for parents and families, service providers, young people, and survivors of all ages.
The toolkit also explores important concepts relevant to digital safety and intimate imagery, including:
- Digital Citizenship
- Media Literacy
- Consent
- Suicide Prevention
- Survivor Advocacy
- Content Removal Resources
- Sextortion Prevention
For more information on training, technical assistance or resources related to nonconsensual distribution and creation of intimate images, sextortion, and image based sexual abuse, contact Megan Murray, Evaluation Coordinator, Angie Rehling, Prevention Coordinator, or Sarah Lawton, Prevention Coordinator
Digital Service Delivery & Communication
Many service providers adapted to a remote or hybrid service delivery model during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are safer to gather and meet in person again, there is still demand for hybrid or remote services. As agencies continue remote or hybrid service delivery and work, it is critical that they center survivor safety, access, and privacy. The resources below are designed to support programs in navigating digital service delivery and communications. These tools offer practical guidance and best practices to help organizations thoughtfully provide services via phone, video, and other web-based platforms.
- Protecting Survivor Privacy While Working From Home - This resource from the Victim Rights Law Center is designed to help organizations implement best practices regarding privacy and confidentiality of victim information and comply with our obligations as OVW victim service providers.
- RSP Practical Privacy Tips 2020 - This tipsheet from RSP provides guidance on protecting privacy when advocates are working from home or other atypical places.
- NNEDV Video Conferencing & Digital Communications Platforms: Comparison Chart - This chart compares some of the most commonly used platforms for web-based meetings and communications, including Zoom, ResourceConnect, Gruveo, Cyph, and doxy.me.
- NNEDV Digital Services Toolkit – This toolkit features links to webinar recordings, best practices, and information on choosing technology and providing services remotely.
- Telecounseling 101: Providing services to survivors FAQs – This resource from CCASA and Violence Free Colorado answers common questions related to digital services to survivors.
- Tech Resources to Help you Work Remotely - This resource list features information about a variety of communications tools for remote work.
- Safety Net - Safety Net is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) focused on technology safety in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual violence & violence against women. Their website contains resources for survivors, advocates, tech industry professionals, system partners, and other community members.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Sexual Assault Service Providers
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool with the potential to help organizations save time on resource development, communications, fund development, and much more. To assist sexual assault service providers (SASPs) in navigating and utilizing this new technology, WCASA has developed a collection of resources.
WCASA AI Resource Collection:
- Introduction to AI - The primary resource in our AI for SASPs collection provides a comprehensive introduction to AI, including AI policy guidance, information about free platforms, and key considerations and common applications of AI within SASPs.
- AI Ethics & Best Practices - This supplemental resource provides more detailed information about some key concerns and limitations of AI. This guide provides context for accuracy, bias, plagiarism, environmental impact, and mental health concerns related to AI use, and recommendations to increase efficiency and minimize harms in AI use.
- AI Prompt Tips - This supplemental resource provides guidance for writing effective AI prompts. Example prompts for common tasks among SASPs are provided.
- AI Use Policy Example -This supplemental resource provides an example AI policy to guide organizational use of AI. This sample policy can be adapted to meet your agency’s unique concerns and needs related to AI use. In addition to the PDF, a downloadable word document is available here for agencies to edit to best meet their needs.
- Webinar: Artificial Intelligence for SASPs - In this recorded webinar, Justine & Megan introduce WCASA's AI Resource Collection.
Additional Resources on AI Use in Victim Services from Safety Net:
Safety Net has a set of guides about AI use in service delivery:
- Artificial Intelligence & Victim Services: A Comprehensive Guide for Advocates – This guide provides detailed information about concerns and recommendations for AI in victim services work. This includes guidance on protecting confidentiality and vetting AI platforms for security, informed consent practices, and appropriate & inappropriate uses of AI within victim services.
- The Safety Net Survivor’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence: Understanding AI, Protecting Your Autonomy, and Making Empowered Choices – This guide for survivors details the risks associated with AI mental health chatbots, both in terms of privacy and well-being. It provides practical guidance for survivors who may be choosing to use AI, and cautions against uses that are more risky.
For more information on training, technical assistance or resources related to AI use for SASPs, contact Megan Murray, Evaluation Coordinator, or Justine Rufus, Rural Coordinator.