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What is online and image based abuse? What you can do about it?

Online and image based abuse is often referred to as “revenge porn”, a now widely understood terms which describes the act of someone uploading sexually inappropriate images and or videos of someone online without their consent. This act can not only lead to criminal prosecution but also a claim in the UK’s Civil Courts.

The term ‘image based abuse’ was actually adopted by the Civil Courts going forward, and not the term revenge porn which is often carelessly and casually thrown around. If you’ve been the victim of online or image based abuse, you can pursue a claim against misuse of private information, harassment, breach of the UK’s GDPR and breach of confidence.

Before filing a claim, however, it’s important to understand what online and image-based abuse is. Both of these refer to the sharing of materials, be they text, images, or videos. With that said, one important thing to keep in mind is that the sharing may happen online of offline but if the receiver shares such materials on the internet without your consent or knowledge, then it qualifies as online and image based abuse, where you are entitled to a claim and compensation.

Our friendly and understanding online and image based abused solicitors have dealt with hundreds of cases involving the sharing of explicit images to manipulate victims and cause harm. They will help you through the next steps, which includes guidance on how to register a claim for online abuse and get the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Get legal help and the compensation you deserve for online abuse – our expert solicitors are here for you.

Next steps for online and image based abuse

Victims of online and IBA (image based abuse) can either get compensation through a Civil claim or one under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

In the former, the accused may be ordered to pay you General or Special Damages by way of a money judgment. However, if the accused does not have the necessary funds to pay the Damages awarded to you as a Claimant, then there isn’t much merit in pursuing a civil claim directly against him/her.

No matter which claim is best for you, our expert solicitors will provide tailored guidance to not only provide you with the legal support you require but also get you the rightful compensation against any injuries or loss suffered. We will do our best to bring forward charges, where possible, for criminal prosecution, resulting in appropriate sentencing and full protection for you.

Why use our online and image based abuse solicitors?

In a nutshell – we are passionate about helping you. The Hugh James online and image based abuse team has extensive experience and can provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to your case. We look to the future and the past to define what you need to accomplish justice and the outcome you deserve because we care.

Many clients received compensation for sexual assault thanks to the dedication and understanding of our team of professional sexual abuse solicitors. Compensation can mean accessing the services and opportunities needed to reconstruct your life. This is why a holistic approach is essential. We need to understand you so we can do the best for you.

One of our team members can offer you a free consultation to help you make a claim, which can be at your home, in our office, or any location you feel best – we can also talk on the phone if you prefer. Please do not feel anxious or embarrassed about discussing your claim with us. We will handle your case with care, attention, empathy and confidentiality.

Our online and image based abuse experts include:

Partner Alan Collins – Alan oversees our team of sexual abuse solicitors and has helped many people who have suffered abuse with compensation claims. He is one of the best-known solicitors in abuse litigation and has acted in many high-profile cases, including the Jimmy Savile and Max Clifford abuse scandals. Alan serves clients in the UK and worldwide, having worked on sexual assault claims all around the world, including in Australia, Uganda, Kenya, and California.

Kathleen Hallisey – Kathleen is an American attorney and UK solicitor. With nearly two decades of practising law, she has spent the past decade working exclusively with abuse survivors. In 2015, Kathleen brought the first successful case in the UK against the Jehovah’s Witness organisation and, since then, has become a vocal advocate for survivors of abuse in faith settings, including the nuances of spiritual abuse. She was one of two solicitors recommended by the Jesus Army redress scheme and represented over 100 survivors of the Jesus Army. She has also represented survivors in claims against private schools, football clubs, local governments, the Scout Association, and the Ministry of Defence.

Danielle Vincent – Danielle focuses on sexual harassment allegations. She also works with clients who have been abused during NHS exams, teacher abuse, and other situations. She has significant experience with claims against local authorities for failure of social services and foster abuse/children’s home abuse.

How we act for our clients?

We provide a confidential, tailored one-on-one service.

We listen; we do not simply hear. We let you select how best to tell us your story when you are ready.

We provide honest and transparent advice. Sometimes, we must tell you a claim is impossible, but you need to know. You have the right to understand your options.

We work for you and will only do what you want us to. We support, we do not pressure.

We are friendly, respectful, honest and confidential. If you bring a claim with us, you are at its centre, and we will advise you and aid you all the way. We will ensure that your identity is kept anonymous.

Author bio

Alan Collins

Partner

Alan Collins is one of the best known and most experienced solicitors in the field of child abuse litigation and has acted in many high profile cases, including the Jimmy Savile and Haut de la Garenne abuse scandals. Alan has represented interested parties before public inquiries including the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, and IICSA (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse).

Internationally, Alan works in Australia, South East Asia, Uganda, Kenya, and California representing clients in high profile sexual abuse cases. Alan also spoke at the Third Regional Workshop on Justice for Children in East Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok hosted by Unicef and HCCH (Hague Conference on Private International Law).

Thank you so much for fighting so hard for my family and me. We were truly broken when we first met you. The injustice that we had suffered was indescribable. When we thought the answer was no, you did not give up. You taught us all to stand up, fight and take back our self-respect. Words can never describe how grateful I am.

Client

I hope that my testimonial helps to encourage other silent victim’s to come forward because I know there must be many who aren’t aware there is help/advice. Hugh James can help them prepare any details they can remember of the abuse they suffered then present their case to the NIHIA who will make their judgement. This could result in compensation being awarded which is rightfully theirs, but most importantly they would not need to stand up in a court of law to face their abuser’s. Thank you all at Hugh James for everything you did for me.

Robert Whiteside

For anybody that has gone through what I went through, and if they are worried about speaking to solicitors, Alan and the team are the ones to go to.
I had the choice of a male or female solicitor to talk to and they approached everything the right way.
Alan was very private and had to be very careful how he contacted me. Even my family was unaware. I couldn’t receive an email or a telephone call unless I knew it was coming. Together Alan and I came up with a plan and he stuck to it.

Robert Whiteside

From the word ‘go’ Alan was the perfect type of solicitor to handle my case. The team at Hugh James was really professional whilst at the same time really easy to talk to.
Alan kept me updated all the time. I honestly believe if I had got the wrong solicitor I might not have gone through with it, because I had never spoken to anyone about it. Alan just knew how to put me at ease. He knew what he was talking about and that helps a lot.

Robert Whiteside

Alan Collins is a star – he has the expertise, ferocity and sensitivity that is particularly required for sex abuse claims.

The Legal 500

They have real expertise in child abuse claims and other civil damages/human rights act damages claims.

The Legal 500

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Case studies

Filming without consent

We have successfully obtained settlement against our client’s co-worker who had secretly filmed him in the bathroom during the working day.

The individual had used his mobile phone to take the images of our client on at least one occasion without our client’s knowledge or consent.

The claim was brought directly against the individual rather than the employer as the act was not completed in the ‘course of employment or akin to employment’ which would have deemed the employers vicariously liable for the act.

We were able to negotiate with the perpetrator to come to an early settlement for psychological injury and loss of earnings which followed on from the incident.

View more stories

Your questions answered

In England and Wales, you have the right to remain anonymous throughout the prosecution and compensation process. If your case looks like going to court, you’ll still have a chance to reconsider. If you want, we can arrange for you to give evidence by video link. However, it’s worth noting most sexual abuse claims are settled out of court.

The time limit for making a compensation claim is usually two years from the date the abuse took place. However, as these compensation claims are often sensitive, these times limits can often be extended, especially if there has been a recent police or other investigation. We can advise you on this.

There are different time limits, or limitation periods, for bringing a claim for compensation for sexual abuse suffered in childhood. Ordinarily, the time limit is three years from the survivor’s 18th birthday; so the claim should be brought before they reach the age of 21. Many if not the majority of claims are brought outside this time limit.

If the survivor is outside of the time limit for bringing a claim, it is possible to ask the court to waive the time limit or to extend it. Each request to waive the time limit is decided on a case-by-case basis. However, the courts are fully aware of the difficulties that survivors of sexual abuse have in disclosing abuse due to the trauma they suffered.

We can represent you on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s no worry about having to pay. We’ll explain in detail how it works.

We’ll do only what you ask us to do – you’re always in control and can stop the process at any point.

Next steps

We’re here to get things moving. Drop a message to one of our experts and we’ll get straight back to you.

Call us: 033 3016 2222

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