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88<div class="audiosign"><img src="/newart/press-audio.svg"></div><h1>LICADHO Sees Increase in Intimate Image Abuse Cases</h1><span class="subh1">Published on 14 July 2026</span><div>

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88stopping women and girls from reporting rape, exerting control following a breakup, and financial gain.</p><p class="mtext">The cases demonstrate that intimate image abuse affects women and girls of different ages, and is perpetrated by both known and anonymous offenders. Half of those affected in the cases documented were girls aged from 13 to 17 years. Perpetrators included current or former boyfriends, family members, teachers, supervisors, people met online, and anonymous offenders.</p><p class="mtext">The distribution of intimate images, or the threat that they may be shared publicly, can cause profound psychological harm. It can isolate women and girls from their families, communities, and schools, discourage them from reporting sexual violence, and form part of a broader pattern of abuse. Many women and girls never seek support because they fear stigma, retaliation, or further violations of their privacy. These women and girls deserve support to make informed decisions about their available options – not blame, shame, or further abuse. Responsibility for intimate image abuse only lies with the perpetrator.�<br>
89Cambodian law criminalises some acts associated with intimate image abuse. Charges related to pornography, threats and extortion, and sexual harassment were applied in some of the cases documented by LICADHO. However, legal protections remain incomplete and responses are inconsistent. Stronger and more consistent responses to intimate image abuse and other forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence are urgently needed to keep pace with these harms.</p><p class="mtext"><b>LICADHO calls on the Cambodian government to:</b></p><p class="mtext"><span style="color:#C81400;">&#9642;</span>&nbsp;Recognise intimate image abuse as a severe form of technology-facilitated gender-based violence by responding to cases with the same urgency and seriousness afforded to financial and other online crimes. �<br>
90<span style="color:#C81400;">&#9642;</span>&nbsp;Strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and judicial authorities through specialised training, technical skills, and adequate resources to conduct prompt, effective, and survivor-centred investigations. �<br>
91<span style="color:#C81400;">&#9642;</span>&nbsp;Ensure access to justice and support services are survivor-centred and free from blame and stigma. People affected should be able to choose the gender of the authorities they interact with, and intimate images should only be accessed by the minimum number of authorised personnel when strictly necessary and with strict privacy and confidentiality safeguards. �<br>
92<span style="color:#C81400;">&#9642;</span>&nbsp;Apply existing criminal charges when appropriate, including charges relating to sexual violence, extortion, threats, and the non-consensual production or distribution of pornography. �<br>
93<span style="color:#C81400;">&#9642;</span>&nbsp;Increase public awareness that intimate image abuse is a serious and often criminal form of gender-based violence that causes profound and lasting harm.</p><p class="mtext"><i>If you have experienced intimate image abuse, you are not alone. Many women and girls have experienced similar harms, and what happened is not your fault. <a href="https://www.licadho-cambodia.org/contact.php">LICADHO</a> provides confidential, non-judgemental information about your available options. LICADHO will not ask to see your intimate photos or videos. Everyone has the right to decide whether and how to seek support.</i></p><p class="mtext" style="opacity:0.5;">MP3 format: <a href="/media/index.php?id=971">Listen to audio version in Khmer</a></p></div>
94
95<ul class="actionlist"><li class="listtitle">Related</li><li class="listrelated"><a href="/reports.php?perm=235">Report: Status Update: Harassment on Social Media in Cambodia</a></li><li class="listrelated"><a href="/album/view_photo.php?cat=90">Media Album: Key Findings from “Status Update: Harassment on Social Media in Cambodia”</a></li></ul>
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