Terminology

Child pornography: not preferred - see CSAM.

Child sexual abuse material (CSAM): any visual depiction of an individual 18 years or younger who is nude, partially nude, or engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Consent: affirmative, informed, voluntary and ongoing choice by an individual with legal capacity.

Cyber bullying (aka online harassment): the use of digital platforms, such as social media, messaging apps, or websites, to harass, threaten, humiliate, or target someone. Includes behaviors like spreading rumors, sending harmful messages, sharing private or embarrassing information, or engaging in repeated online harassment, all with the intent to cause emotional distress.

Cyber flashing: the act of sending unsolicited explicit images, typically of a sexual nature, to someone through digital means such as messaging apps, social media, or file-sharing services like AirDrop. It often occurs in public spaces where individuals may receive inappropriate images from strangers in close proximity, without their consent. 

Cyber rape (aka digital sexual assault): refers to the use of technology to perpetrate sexual violence or harassment in a virtual environment. It can extend to virtual spaces like gaming platforms or social media, where perpetrators use avatars or digital means to simulate sexual assault. 

Cyberstalking: the digital extension of offline stalking, utilizing the internet, social media, email, or other online platforms to harass, monitor, and intimidate a victim. It can include sending threatening messages, hacking personal accounts, tracking online activity, impersonating the victim, or using GPS and other digital tools to monitor their physical location.

Digital service provider and platform: any company or system that offers digital services, often over the internet. These can include platforms for communication, social media, content sharing, cloud services, e-commerce, and more. Examples include social media networks like Facebook or Instagram, cloud storage providers like Google Drive or Dropbox, and streaming platforms like YouTube or Netflix. 

Digitally Forged Intimate Image (aka “deepfake” or synthetic): visual material that is digitally manipulated or falsified to make it appear that a person is nude, partially nude, or engaged in sexual conduct that they did not engage in. 

Doxxing: a form of harassment and intimidation that involves the act of publicly revealing or publishing private, personal, or identifying information (addresses, phone numbers, emails addresses, workplace information, financial records, etc) about an individual without their consent, typically with malicious intent, exposing the victim to further threats, stalking, or real-world harm.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV): an umbrella term for violence directed toward or disproportionately affecting someone because of their actual or perceived gender identity and rooted in social norms, stereotypes, and discrimination. It stems from unequal power dynamics and systemic gender inequality and can take various forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse. 

Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA) (aka Image-Based Sexual Violence): an umbrella term for a form of technology-facilitated sexual violence that encompasses a broad spectrum of abusive actions. This includes the nonconsensual creation of, theft of, distribution of and/or threats to distribute, sexually explicit or intimate images of another person without their explicit consent. IBSA covers both authentic and digitally forged intimate images (sometimes referred to as “deepfakes” or synthetics).

Nonconsensual Distribution of Intimate Images (NDII) (aka Nonconsensual Intimate Imagery- NCII, or Nonconsensual Pornography- NCP): refers to the distribution of sexually explicit or intimate images of an individual without their consent. This includes both images originally obtained without consent as well as images that were originally taken with consent and then later distributed without consent.

Online sexual exploitation and abuse (OSEA): an umbrella term that refers to the use of digital platforms to exploit or abuse individuals sexually. This can include coercion or manipulation to engage in sexual activities, sharing intimate images or videos without consent, sextortion, grooming, and trafficking for sexual purposes. OSEA often involves threats, manipulation, or deceit and can target victims of any age or gender.

Rape culture: a societal environment in which sexual violence, harassment, and abuse are normalized, excused, or minimized. This culture is perpetuated by attitudes, social norms, and media that trivialize or condone such behaviors, often blaming victims while absolving perpetrators. Rape culture reinforces harmful gender stereotypes, supports victim-blaming, and creates barriers for survivors seeking justice.

Revenge porn: not preferred- see Nonconsensual Distribution of Intimate Images or Image-Based Sexual Abuse.

Sex Trafficking: a form of human trafficking where individuals are coerced, manipulated, or forced into engaging in sexual activities for the benefit of others. Victims of sex trafficking are often subjected to exploitation and abuse and are made to work in the sex trade against their will. This crime can involve a range of abusive tactics, including physical violence, psychological manipulation, fraud, and the abuse of power or authority.

Sextortion: a form of extortion that involves a threat to distribute intimate images unless a demand is met- often for money,  more explicit content, or other favors.  

Sexual Abuse: any non-consensual sexual activity or behavior imposed on an individual, including physical contact, coercion, or exploitation.     

Sexual Assault: any non-consensual sexual act or behavior, including unwanted touching, groping, or forced sexual contact. 

Sexual Coercion: the act of pressuring, manipulating, or using threats to force someone into engaging in sexual activity against their will. It involves removing the ability to freely give or withhold consent.

Sexual Exploitation: the abuse of power or trust to take advantage of someone for sexual purposes, often for personal gain, financial benefit, or gratification.  It can involve coercion, manipulation, or deception, and often occurs in situations where the victim is vulnerable.

Sexual Harassment: any unwanted or inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating environment. It can include comments, gestures, or actions that are unwelcome and make the recipient feel uncomfortable or threatened.

Sexual Violence: any sexual act or attempt to obtain a sexual act through coercion, force, or manipulation. It encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including but not limited to: sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, coercion, and exploitation.

Social Norms Theory: theory that individuals' behaviors and attitudes are influenced by their perceptions of social norms—what they believe others in their social group consider acceptable or typical behavior. The theory suggests that people often conform to these perceived norms to fit in or be accepted by their peers.

Technology-facilitated Gendered Violence (TFGV): any act of violence against a person based on their gender that is committed, amplified, or facilitated through the use of digital technologies, that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological, social, political, or economic harm, or other infringements of rights and freedoms.

Upskirting: the act of secretly taking photographs or videos under a person's clothing, typically aimed at capturing images of their private areas without their consent. 

Victim-blaming: refers to the act of shifting responsibility for a crime or harmful incident, like abuse or assault, onto the victim. It involves questioning the victim's actions or choices, implying they provoked or deserved the harm, which deflects blame from the perpetrator.

Voyeurism: the act of secretly observing someone without their consent, typically in situations where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as while undressing, engaging in intimate activities, or using the bathroom. The motive is often for sexual gratification, but it can also be done to exert power, control, or for personal satisfaction.