In recent years, Irish society has started to pay more attention to an issue that has been silently harming people for some time —intimate image abuse, also known as image-based sexual abuse. This happens when someone creates, shares or threatens to share sexual or intimate images of a person without their consent. It can involve photos, videos, or even digitally altered images. Sometimes the images were taken consensually in a private context; other times they may have been taken without the person’s knowledge at all.
No matter how it happens, intimate image abuse is a serious violation. For the person targeted, the harm goes far beyond embarrassment. It can affect mental health, relationships, work, and the ability to feel safe in everyday life.
The Harms of Intimate Image Abuse
People who have experienced this kind of abuse often describe feelings of shame, fear, and loss of control. Knowing that private images may be seen by friends, family, or colleagues can be overwhelming. Survivors may live with constant anxiety, fearing that the images will resurface or spread further.
Research and survivor testimonies show that intimate image abuse can lead to:
- Anxiety and depression – feelings of despair, panic, and hopelessness are common.
- Loss of trust – not only in the person who betrayed them, but sometimes in relationships in general.
- Isolation – many people withdraw socially, fearing judgement or gossip.
- Impact on work and study – concentration, performance, and attendance may all suffer.
- Self-blame and shame – even though the blame lies squarely with the perpetrator, survivors often turn harshly on themselves.
For some, the abuse triggers symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or physical symptoms like nausea and racing heart can occur when reminded of the abuse. The digital nature of the harm means the fear never fully goes away—once images are online, it can be difficult to know if they’ve truly disappeared.
The Irish Context
In Ireland, the issue gained more public awareness after campaigns by advocacy groups and brave survivors speaking out. In 2021, the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act (also known as Coco’s Law) came into effect. This law makes it a criminal offence to share or threaten to share intimate images without consent, and perpetrators can face fines or prison time.
If you or someone you know is affected, you can:
- Report to hotline.ie – Ireland’s national centre for reporting intimate image abuse and harmful online content. They can help get images removed and guide you through next steps and there is no charge for their support.
- Contact An Garda Síochána – speaking to a Garda at your local Garda station can help you understand your options in relation to a criminal investigation of the abuse. They can also arrange for a detective from your local Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) who will have experience in investigating offences occurring online to meet you for an interview.
Knowing that there are legal protections in place is important, but the emotional wounds often remain even when justice is served. That’s where psychotherapy plays a vital role.
How Psychotherapy Can Help
Psychotherapy offers a safe, confidential space to process the impact of intimate image abuse. For many survivors, this may be the first time they feel truly heard and supported without judgement.
Some of the ways therapy can help include:
- Restoring safety – therapy can help rebuild a sense of control over one’s body, image, and boundaries.
- Processing trauma – talking about the experience in a supportive environment can reduce flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
- Challenging shame – a therapist can help survivors see that the blame lies entirely with the abuser, not with them.
- Rebuilding self-worth – over time, therapy can strengthen confidence and self-esteem, making it easier to reconnect with relationships and community.
- Developing coping tools – learning ways to manage anxiety, panic, or low mood day to day.
Different therapeutic approaches may be used. For example:
- Humanistic therapy offers compassion, presence, and unconditional acceptance.
- Trauma-informed therapy recognises the body’s response to trauma and helps regulate overwhelming feelings.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help challenge negative self-blame and replace it with healthier beliefs.
It’s not about a “one size fits all” solution. The most important factor is finding a therapist who makes the survivor feel safe, respected, and empowered.
Breaking the Silence
One of the hardest parts of intimate image abuse is the silence that often surrounds it. Survivors may feel they cannot tell anyone for fear of being judged, shamed, or dismissed. This silence allows the harm to deepen.
Therapy can be a vital step in breaking that silence. By speaking openly in a confidential space, survivors begin to loosen the grip of shame. They can reconnect with their identity beyond the abuse and slowly begin to heal.
Community and Support
While therapy is deeply valuable, survivors also benefit from wider community support. Friends and family who respond with compassion rather than judgement can make a world of difference. Simple messages like “I believe you” and “It’s not your fault” are powerful.
Organisations in Ireland such as Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Centres, and hotline.ie provide practical and emotional help. The more society understands the harm of image-based abuse, the less isolated survivors will feel.
Moving Towards Healing
Healing after intimate image abuse takes time. It may involve ups and downs, anger as well as sadness, and sometimes setbacks. But with the right support—through therapy, community, and legal protection—survivors can and do reclaim their lives.
It’s important to remember:
- The abuse is never the survivor’s fault.
- There is professional, confidential support available.
- Reporting to hotline.ie or the Gardaí can help stop the spread of images and hold perpetrators accountable.
- Psychotherapy can be a key part of recovery, helping survivors to heal, rebuild, and thrive again.
Final Word
Intimate image abuse is a violation of trust, privacy, and dignity. Its harm is real and lasting, but healing is possible. In Ireland, the law now recognises the seriousness of this abuse, and support services are available. Most importantly, survivors do not have to face it alone.
Psychotherapy can offer a pathway to safety, healing, and hope—helping survivors move from silence and shame towards strength and self-worth.
If you have been affected by intimate image abuse:
- Visit hotline.ie to report images and seek guidance.
- Contact An Garda Síochána to report under Coco’s Law.
- Consider speaking with a psychotherapist for confidential emotional support.
- Reach out to support services like Women’s Aid or Rape Crisis Centres.
You deserve safety, respect, and healing.