A leading UK domestic abuse charity has issued a stark warning about an escalating online threat, fuelled by artificial intelligence, that is putting women and girls in increasing danger.
The Disturbing Rise of AI-Generated Abuse
Refuge, which safeguards women and children, has highlighted a "disturbing" hike in AI intimate image abuse. This involves perpetrators using generative AI tools to create convincing fake nude images, known as deepfakes, without the subject's consent. Emma Pickering, Head of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment at Refuge, stated that platforms enabling this technology are facilitating a serious digital threat.
"Generative AI has made it easier than ever for perpetrators to create fake images at the expense of women’s safety," Pickering explained. She emphasised that while the technology itself is not to blame, tech companies must be held accountable for implementing effective safeguards to prevent their platforms from being used to cause harm.
Legal Gaps and Enforcement Failures
Although legislation to criminalise the sharing of non-consensual deepfake images is progressing through Parliament, it has not yet come into effect. Furthermore, while sharing real intimate images without consent (so-called revenge porn) is already illegal, Refuge points out that this law is "not being effectively enforced" and has "woefully low conviction rates."
Pickering stressed that as technology evolves, the safety of women and girls depends on tighter regulation for all image-based abuse, whether the images are real or AI-generated. She also called for specialist training for police and prosecutors to handle these complex cases effectively.
Impact and Call for Action
The charity sees firsthand the severe, long-term impact such abuse has on survivors' mental health and wellbeing. "Women have the right to use technology without fear of abuse," Pickering asserted, adding that survivors must be able to access swift justice and robust protections when that right is violated.
For anyone affected, Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 0808 2000 247. A live chat service is also available via their website.
