Online abuse involving images is often narrowly defined by authorities and tech platforms as cases of nudity or sexually explicit content. However, a new report from the gender justice organisation Chayn, supported by Pakistani actress Ayesha Omar, challenges this limited perspective, revealing how non-nude images can cause equally devastating harm, especially in conservative societies where notions of honour and reputation carry immense social weight.
When Non-Nude Images Become Tools of Social Destruction
Mahnoor, a 32-year-old university lecturer from Pakistan, experienced firsthand how the misuse of seemingly innocuous photos can upend a woman’s life. After her abusive marriage ended, private images showing her in Western clothing or with friends—none containing nudity—were shared without consent by her ex-husband. These photos were manipulated to suggest immoral behaviour, leading to ostracism from her family, colleagues, and community.
In Mahnoor’s conservative environment, even a photo showing bare shoulders or standing beside a man who is not a relative can be weaponized to brand a woman as “of bad character.” The consequences are not just social but can be life-altering, affecting her safety, mental health, and livelihood. “I lost my voice,” she said, describing how her respected position in the community evaporated almost overnight.
How Tech Companies and Authorities Miss the Nuance
Chayn’s report, Explicit Harms of Non-Explicit Images, argues that the prevailing focus on nudity blinds platforms and law enforcement to the broader spectrum of image-based abuse. Current moderation systems, often reliant on AI trained mainly to detect nudity, overlook the cultural and contextual factors that determine harm.
For instance, WhatsApp declined to remove images shared without consent on the grounds that they did not violate its policies, which lack specific provisions for non-nude image abuse. Similarly, Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency rejected Mahnoor’s complaint because the images were not sexually explicit. This systemic failure leaves victims with little recourse.
Hera Hussain, Chayn’s founder and report author, emphasizes that the core issue is consent and respect, not nudity. “The image does not have to be nude for it to be harmful,” she says. The harm relates to intent, context, and consequences, which are often invisible to automated moderation and legal frameworks designed around a narrow definition of abuse.
The Broader Cultural and Psychological Impact
Ayesha Omar, a well-known Pakistani actress, shares a similar experience. Over a decade ago, private holiday photos of her in a swimsuit were stolen and circulated online, leading to lost advertising contracts and emotional trauma. For public figures, the pressure to conform to cultural expectations intensifies the damage.
But the problem extends beyond celebrities. The report highlights cases where ordinary images—a woman dancing at a wedding, a selfie without a headscarf, or a photo taken beside a male friend—can trigger severe social sanctions, including violence. In some tragic cases, such as the 2017 incident where three sisters were killed after a video of them at a wedding circulated, the consequences are fatal.
Hussain notes that the harm is collective, affecting entire families and communities. The leaked images bring shame not only to the woman but also to her relatives, reinforcing patriarchal controls and silencing survivors.
What Needs to Change in Policy and Platform Response
The report calls for a fundamental shift in how image-based abuse is understood and addressed. Instead of waiting for victims to repeatedly report each image, platforms should proactively remove potentially harmful content pending review. This would reduce retraumatization and better protect survivors.
Moreover, there is a pressing need for more human moderators with cultural expertise, rather than over-relying on AI systems that cannot grasp nuanced contexts. The reduction in trust and safety teams, as seen in companies like Snapchat, exacerbates the problem.
Legal frameworks must also evolve. Some countries, like France and the UAE, have robust privacy laws protecting individuals’ images regardless of nudity. Such protections could serve as models for jurisdictions where image-based abuse is currently ignored unless explicit content is involved.
Raising Awareness and Supporting Survivors
Chayn’s report and voices like Ayesha Omar’s highlight that image-based abuse is a multifaceted issue rooted in power, control, and cultural norms—not just exposure of nudity. Recognizing this complexity is crucial to developing effective responses.
For survivors, the message is clear: abuse is not their fault, and help is available. Organisations like Chayn provide support and advocacy, pushing for systemic change that respects dignity and consent.
As digital communication continues to expand globally, understanding the full scope of image-based abuse is essential. Only then can technology companies, law enforcement, and societies create safer spaces for women everywhere.