Online Harassment and Image Abuse

In the ACT, is a crime to take intimate images that invade your privacy and distribute them without your consent. It is also a crime to threaten to take or distribute intimate images. If someone distributes or threatens to distribute private sexual material via the internet or other technological devices they are also committing a crime under federal law. Someone who engages in these behaviours can face imprisonment.

Online harassment and stalking carry similar criminal penalties. Online stalking is a crime in the ACT and under federal law it is a crime to use internet or telephone services to menace, harass or cause offence to someone.

If you want to pursue criminal charges, you can contact the police for assistance (131 444). We can help you contact the police if you would find this of assistance.
 

The eSafety commissioner can help if you are experiencing image abuse. The eSafety Commissioner is can impose civil penalties like fines and formal warnings on a perpetrator of image abuse. You can make a complaint or file an objection notice through the eSafety Commissioner website. You can do this even if you don’t know who has posted the image. The eSafety Commissioner can then issue notices to online platforms and service providers to remove the images. For more information visit their website.

If you are a victim of image abuse, online stalking or online harassment you can apply for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO). This is not a criminal charge, but rather an order for future protection. An AVO sets out restrictions on the other person’s behaviour, so that you can feel safe. We can help students with the AVO process.

If someone publishes information or images of you online, the action may also amount to defamation (a harm to your reputation). Defamation law protects reputation and applies to online communications. The law allows a person harmed by defamation to seek compensation for the injury to their reputation.
 

If you would like specific legal advice about your situation you are welcome to book in for a legal appointment with the ANUSA Legal Service.

 

All legal appointments are free and confidential.
 

If the perpetrator is another ANU Student, you can make a complaint under the ANU Discipline Rule to deal with the matter internally. You can contact the ANU Dean of Students to help you through the process of making a complaint.

NOTICE: This is legal information and is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. These materials have been prepared for ANU Students by the ANUSA Legal Service. If you would like legal advice please book in for an appointment with the ANUSA Legal Service.