“The findings exposed the degree of the abuse throughout the broader neighborhood,”stated Professor Nicola Henry, a scientist at RMIT University.

“We now have proof of how commonly AI-generated image-based abuse is impacting individuals throughout the neighborhood, not simply celebs and public figures.”

“The real scale might be even higher since some individuals might never ever understand that AI-generated pictures of them have actually been developed or shared.”

In the research study, Professor Henry and her associates surveyed an overall of 7,230 grownups in July and August 2024.

In general, 15.1% reported a minimum of one experience of abuse including digitally modified intimate images, consisting of both AI-generated phonies and those made by other modifying techniques.

About 7%, or approximately one in 14, stated AI was particularly included.

The scientists discovered that 4.3% of participants stated somebody had actually produced AI-generated intimate pictures of them without authorization, 4.4% stated such images had actually been shared, and 3.6% stated they had actually been threatened with sharing, a technique typically utilized in sextortion plans.

Rates were greatest in Britain (9.3%), followed by Australia (7.7%) and the United States (6.5%).

Victimization was greater amongst individuals under 35, LGBTQ+ participants, individuals of color, and individuals with impairments.

Amongst those who had actually been preyed on, 90.3% reported a minimum of one unfavorable sensation, and 86.7% reported a minimum of one unfavorable influence on their lives.

Ladies were most likely than guys to report solely unfavorable responses (87.6% versus 71.2%) and were most likely to report sensation scared for their security (42.4% versus 18.1%), unfortunate, or depressed. Females were likewise most likely to report psychological health effects.

Guy were substantially most likely than ladies to report neutral or favorable responses, such as discovering the images amusing, though such reactions were unusual general.

Many victims, 55.6%, stated the wrongdoer was somebody they had actually understood just online.

Almost 30% stated they had actually communicated with the individual personally, and 14.6% did not understand who was accountable.

Asked to explain the relationship, the most typical response was ‘complete stranger,’ at 21.4%, followed by pal (14.2%) and previous partner (9.2%).

Wrongdoers were frequently reported to be guys (47.4%), though 36.7% of victims called a lady. The authors warn that this might partially show fraudsters who impersonate ladies online.

“As generative AI ends up being more commonly readily available, there is higher capacity for these tools to be misused to develop, share or threaten to share intimate images without approval,” Professor Henry stated.

“What we do not yet understand is how rapidly that is equating into increased victimization.”

The findings were released on September 8, 2026 in the International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction

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Nicola Henry et al‘That Experience Still Haunts Me to This Day’: A Multi-Region Survey on AI-Generated Image-Based Sexual Abuse Victimization. International Journal of Human-Computer Interactionreleased online September 8, 2026; doi: 10.1080/ 10447318.2026.2723677