Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is a specific form of technology-facilitated violence and abuse (TFVA).
Whilst scholarship in this area is growing, and has value in drawing into focus the ways that technology is shifting the mode and means of harm, it is also uncovering issues in terms of practice and policy responses. This presentation reports the findings of a study conducted in 2025 in which a range of practitioners were interviewed on the topic of TFVA and IBSA to understand their professional experiences and knowledge around this type of abuse.
Implications for practice and policy are that, although IBSA appears to be prevalent, frontline practitioners are not equipped to respond confidently nor effectively, suggesting a training need and research to inform the multidisciplinary practice contexts that respond to IBSA.
| Ticket Type | Price | Cart |
|---|---|---|
| Standard - Practitioners understanding of technology-facilitated violence and abuse (TFVA) | £15.00 | |
| Member - Practitioners understanding of technology-facilitated violence and abuse (TFVA) | £0.00 |
Loren Parton, PhD, is a Research Associate in the school of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations at the University of Sheffield. Her research interests are focused around technology- facilitated violence and abuse with a focus on image-based sexual abuse, and the impacts and harms experienced by victim/survivors. This includes a focus on the experiences of marginalised groups, such as LGBTQI+ communities.
Dr Helen Richardson Foster is a Research Fellow in the Connect Centre For International Research on Interpersonal Violence and Harm, University of Central Lancashire. She researches domestic abuse and safeguarding work with children and families and has over 20 years’ experience working in primary research and programme evaluation in a range of settings. Helen completed her PhD examining child protection conferences in cases of neglect at the University of Sheffield. The study was funded through the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) CASE studentship scheme and was a collaboration with two local safeguarding children boards. Helen has been a member of the AoCPP since she was a PhD student and is a former Trustee of the Association.
Professor Michaela Rogers is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations at the University of Sheffield. Michaela is a registered social worker and has practice experience spanning 30 years in a range of voluntary and public sector settings. This includes over 15 years working in the domestic abuse
sector before moving to statutory social work (working in child protection and fostering). Michaela’s academic career has enabled the development of research and publications portfolio contributing to the fields of gender-based violence and domestic abuse, equalities and diversity, and social care. This work has a particular emphasis on the experiences of marginalised groups, help-seeking and access to services. Michaela’s publications include a number of social work textbooks and a body of academic publications on gender-based violence. Her latest co-edited book
is entitled Gender-Based Violence: A Comprehensive Guide (published in June 2023 by Springer Nature). Michaela is Co-Editor for the journal Practice: Social Work in Action and co-leads the University of Sheffield Interpersonal Violence and Abuse ( ShIVAR ) Research Network.
Opportunity to network with others and know I am part of a community of people committed to working for children and families; challenge to keep up to date and evidence-informed in my practice; sounding board with others for considering how best to improve policy and practice
