 | Kamilla Bonnesen, MPH Project Update: Understanding and Combating Cyber-Sexual Violence |
Since our last update, we’ve completed the full analysis of our data and are excited to share very promising results. The Intimate Image Abuse (IIA) Scale we developed has proven to be a reliable and meaningful tool for understanding how people experience online forms of sexual harm—such as having intimate images shared without consent or being pressured to send explicit content. By using a modern approach that looks at how different types of abuse are connected, we found clear patterns showing that these experiences often overlap with other forms of gender-based violence, including dating and sexual violence. These findings confirm that the IIA Scale is a strong and survivor-focused way to capture the real experiences of those affected by image-based abuse.
We are proud to report that two additional manuscripts based on these findings are currently under peer review, expanding the impact of this work across both academic and applied fields.
A major milestone in the translation of this research into practice is our official partnership with Rankin Climate, a consulting firm responsible for administering campus climate surveys nationwide. Rankin Climate has confirmed that the IIA Scale will be integrated into future surveys to better assess experiences of online sexual violence in campus settings. This integration will allow for the systematic tracking of online victimization and will help campuses develop tailored prevention and response strategies for students affected by image-based abuse.
Most notably, this body of work has successfully met all requirements for dissertation completion, marking a personal and professional milestone for our team. We are profoundly grateful to the Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation for believing in this project and supporting research that centers survivor voices and builds actionable solutions.
Thank you for your support through the completion of this project!
Learn more about our LMB Research Fellows
We are proud to report that two additional manuscripts based on these findings are currently under peer review, expanding the impact of this work across both academic and applied fields.
A major milestone in the translation of this research into practice is our official partnership with Rankin Climate, a consulting firm responsible for administering campus climate surveys nationwide. Rankin Climate has confirmed that the IIA Scale will be integrated into future surveys to better assess experiences of online sexual violence in campus settings. This integration will allow for the systematic tracking of online victimization and will help campuses develop tailored prevention and response strategies for students affected by image-based abuse.
Most notably, this body of work has successfully met all requirements for dissertation completion, marking a personal and professional milestone for our team. We are profoundly grateful to the Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation for believing in this project and supporting research that centers survivor voices and builds actionable solutions.
Thank you for your support through the completion of this project!
Learn more about our LMB Research Fellows
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