Exposed
Exposed is our campaign focused on intimate image abuse. It aims to educate people about how this abuse affects Muslim and Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) women, whose experiences may differ from the general understanding of intimate image abuse.
Exposed looks to advocate for legal reform as the current law in Scotland only considers intimate image abuse to be images or videos of a sexual nature. This does not include pictures of women without hijab, or with uncovered arms or legs.
These images may seem harmless or make you wonder, 'what's the big deal?' However, sharing them without consent can have serious consequences for these women, often leading to honour-based abuse or even forced marriage.
What is behind these photos?
Salima's Story
Intimate image abuse & forced marriage
The case study below highlights that an intimate image for Muslim and BME women can also include images without hijab or with bare arms, neck or legs.
The impact of these images being shared publicly can be profound and in Salima's story led to a forced marriage.
Salima met Isam on a Muslim marriage app, believing they would soon marry. They exchanged pictures daily, and at times she was not wearing hijab.
It was then revealed that Isam was already married, and his wife shared the images of Salima online, with offensive captions.
Although the photos only showed her uncovered arms, neck and hair, for a Muslim woman to be seen in this way by men who are not immediate family members could be considered by her, as well as her family and the wider community, as unacceptable.
Though they never physically touched, Isam sharing these images led to severe consequences for Salima.
Her family and community labelled her a "disgrace" and "homewrecker". Believing that no one would marry her here in Scotland, her parents forced her to marry someone in Afghanistan.
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Marriage apps are the worst. Men asking for pictures without hijab. Even under the pretense of marriage, you never know. You might stop speaking. There’s no guarantee that your pictures will be deleted by people.
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Someone hacked my Instagram account, took all my pictures from pre-hijab days and posted them online and made my account public. I felt humiliated that my pictures pre-hijab were publicised.
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How is intimate image abuse linked to
forced marriage?
After experiencing intimate image abuse, many women face the risk of forced marriage. They are often seen by their community as unworthy of marriage, especially within the local community where the images have been circulated.
As a result, families may pressure these women into marriage to "restore honour" and repair reputational damage. In some cases, young women are withdrawn from education or work and taken abroad to marry.
Zaynab's Story
Intimate image abuse & honour-based abuse
The case study below illustrates how the fear of honour-based abuse can deter Muslim and BME women from reporting instances of intimate image abuse.
After entering a relationship with someone from her friendship circle, Zaynab was pressured by him into recording their physical relationship.
When she ended the abusive relationship, her ex-partner maliciously threatened to share the explicit images with men at the local Mosque which her dad attended, knowing it would reach him and destroy her reputation.
Though these images were part of the abuse Zaynab suffered, her family and community condemned her for engaging in a sexual relationship. As “honour” is often tied to women in many communities, sharing these images could result in her being seen as a disgrace by the community, and her family being shamed for “allowing” it.
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If you have strict parents, it could lead to suicide or murder, you either kill yourself or get killed by your family. The mental health impact would be huge.
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No one would ever report it even though it's illegal but people would find out. Asian girls in particular don't seek support or help - never seen anyone report and it go well.
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How is intimate image abuse linked to
honour-based abuse?
The sharing of intimate images can lead to honour-based abuse, resulting in consequences such as being removed from education, restricted movement (eg, loss of phone and internet access), isolation, and being confined to the home.
"Honour" and shame are often used to control and restrict the behaviour of Muslim & BME women. Publicised intimate images can be problematic in tight-knit communities where members hold each other accountable for breaking accepted norms.
Rosina's Story
Intimate image abuse & victim blaming
Muslim and BME women who experience intimate image abuse often face social ostracisation, as friends may distance themselves to protect their own reputations. These women are frequently blamed for sharing photos with individuals they trusted, rather than holding accountable those who publicly distributed the images.
Rosina, a married woman with children, faced ongoing harassment as her ex-husband repeatedly posted her private photos online.
Although these images were taken privately within their marriage, their public exposure led to her losing friendships, as others feared their own reputations would be damaged by association.
The community blamed Rosina for the photos' existence, ignoring that they were maliciously shared by her abusive ex-husband. Despite his clear intent to harm her, the burden of responsibility was unfairly placed on her.
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The impact is so much more serious. It's a reputation thing not just for you, but for your family. Siblings getting married would be affected. Everyone's connected, especially in Glasgow.
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Men would just send pictures and not be bothered when sending intimate images. They aren’t ashamed. They have no fear and don’t think about the consequences. They don’t care about their reputation and people wouldn’t bat an eyelid.
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How is intimate image abuse linked to
victim blaming?
In many communities, women are blamed when their intimate images are shared, largely due to deep-rooted gender inequalities with “honour”, a concept closely tied to women.
Remarks like 'who's going to marry her now?' or 'she’s only got herself to blame for sending the pictures in the first place' are common and place the entire responsibility on women. When discussing the shame associated with intimate image abuse, young Muslim and BME women express that 'these things stick' and 'people can’t let go of your past mistakes'.
The photos above highlight abuse not addressed by current legislation
What does “intimate” mean?
How legislation in Scotland defines intimate
Intimate images can be pictures or videos of you doing something normally done in private.
You may have agreed to the pictures being taken, but you did not agree to them being shared with others.
An intimate image could show:
- you taking part in a sexual act
- your genitals, buttocks or breasts exposed in a private place (for example, at home)
- you wearing only your underwear in a private place (for example, at home)
Source: MyGov.Scot (2018) “Support if someone shares your intimate picture without permission” Available at: mygov.scot/intimate-image-victim-support
How Muslim & BME women define intimate
'What I wouldn’t share with the public. Even collarbone, neckline, suggestive.'
'Suggestive, could even be wearing tighter fitting clothes, ie, jeans. I wouldn’t wear jeans back in Afghanistan.'
'Even pictures of me wearing a t-shirt and arms out. It wouldn't make me sad, but it's a reputation thing. I’d feel embarrassed.'
'Even pictures of me with a guy, not even in a suggestive way or sexual way.'
Source: Quotes from participants of the Exposed campaign research conducted by Amina MWRC (2024)
What support is available in these cases?
If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by these issues, please use our free, confidential Helpline, or contact the Revenge Porn Helpline.
Amina Helpline
A support service for Muslim and BME women in Scotland. If you have a problem or need to talk to someone and do not know where to go, the Amina Helpline can help you. We can also signpost you to organisations that may be able to offer help and advice.
Tel: 0808 801 0301
(Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm)
mwrc.org.uk/helpline
Revenge Porn Helpline
A UK-wide service supporting adults (aged 18+) who are experiencing intimate image abuse (also known as revenge porn) in a way that fits into current legislation. "Intimate images" are defined as those that are nude, partially nude, or depict sexual or toileting behaviour.
Tel: 0345 6000 459
(Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm)
revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Report Harmful Content
Help to report harmful online content, including intimate images that fall outside the current legislation, such as non-sexual photos you would not want shared publicly (eg, without hijab or with exposed arms or legs).