This seminar focuses on two separate studies on the topic of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA). IBSA refers to the nonconsensual creating, taking, or sharing of intimate images, including threats to share intimate images. The first study investigated the prevalence of, impacts from, and responses to IBSA generally, in 10 countries. The second half of the talk will cover the topic of prevalence, experiences, and attitudes towards synthetic IBSA, sometimes known as deepfake pornography. We’ll conclude with a discussion of potential preventative interventions.
Dr. Rebecca Umbach is a staff UX researcher at Google. Her research focuses on the experiences of vulnerable populations subjected to online abuse, with a particular emphasis on image-based sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material. In her role within the Trust & Safety team at Google, she uses her research to ensure that the voice of users, advocacy groups, and subject matter experts are heard by internal stakeholders, such as product teams and policy developers. Her work is cross-disciplinary, spanning criminology, developmental psychology, gender studies, computer studies, and human-computer interaction, and includes a long-standing collaboration with Professor Nicola Henry at RMIT University. Prior to Google, she completed a PhD in Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania.