In This Section
Celebrity victims of deepfake sexual abuse face unique victim-blaming and barriers to justice
- Study finds celebrity victim-survivors face deepfake-specific myths, online harassment and victim-blaming.
- World-first study identifies that celebrities face significant obstacles to removing abusive content and identifying perpetrators.
Celebrity victim-survivors of deepfake sexual abuse face distinctive forms of victim-blaming, harassment and barriers to justice, according to new research led by Irish researchers.
The study is the first to identify deepfake-specific victim-blaming and harm-minimising myths in celebrity victims’ experiences. It also reveals a dilemma for celebrities who speak publicly about the abuse: raising awareness can expose them to further harassment and new incidents of deepfake abuse.
Deepfake sexual abuse involves the creation or manipulation of intimate imagery using AI without the consent of the person depicted. Analysing public statements from celebrity victims, the researchers found reports of significant psychological and emotional distress, as well as social and reputational harm.
Victims faced claims that deepfake sexual images are not harmful because they are “fake”, or that celebrities should “expect” such content because they are public figures. Some described the experience as being placed into online sex work without their consent, with others creating, distributing and, in some cases, profiting from sexual content generated using their likeness.
The study finds that these myths can compound the harm by minimising victims’ experiences and fuelling online harassment.
The research was led by researchers at University College Cork (UCC) and University of Limerick (UL).
Speaking out can bring further abuse
The research also highlights the difficult choices victims face when deciding whether to speak publicly about deepfake sexual abuse.
Some celebrities remain silent because they fear permanently associating their name with sexually explicit deepfake content. Victims also express concerns that publicity could drive more people to search for, view or create abusive imagery.
Those who choose to advocate publicly against deepfake abuse can face another risk: becoming targets for further incidents of abuse.
Dr John Twomey, who led the research as part of his PhD studies at UCC and is now Assistant Professor in Psychology at UL, said: “Speaking out about deepfake sexual abuse can come at a real cost. Our study found that celebrities who publicly challenged this abuse or became advocates against it could find themselves targeted with further deepfake content. This creates a deeply troubling situation where victims who speak out to challenge the abuse and protect others may risk exposing themselves to further harm.”
Victims face major barriers to removal and justice
The study also examines victims’ attempts to remove deepfake sexual content and hold those responsible to account.
Victims described reporting and removal processes that demand substantial time and effort, including finding and documenting abusive material, often with limited results. Some turned to for-profit services to help identify and remove content, while removal offered little protection against new images being created and distributed.
Identifying perpetrators was another major obstacle. Victims often reported being unable to determine who created the deepfakes and described limited success in holding perpetrators accountable.
Professor Gillian Murphy, Professor of Cognitive Psychology at UCC and study supervisor, said: “This research shows that the harm of deepfake sexual abuse goes far beyond the creation of a single image. Victims can face repeated abuse, online harassment, victim-blaming and reputational harm, while also struggling to get abusive content removed or hold those responsible to account.”
“We need responses that place less of the burden on victims, tackle the continued creation and spread of this material, and challenge the idea that deepfake sexual abuse is somehow less harmful simply because the images are fabricated,” Professor Murphy said.
The research challenges the idea that fame reduces a person’s right to sexual privacy or that non-consensual sexualisation should be accepted as a consequence of public life. It calls for responses that better protect victims, address the repeated creation and distribution of abusive material, and challenge myths that minimise the harms of deepfake sexual abuse.
Professor John F. Cryan, Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC, said: “I would like to congratulate our researchers from the School of Applied Psychology on this important work that highlights the harm experienced by victims of deepfake sexual abuse. Victims who speak out against this abuse must be supported and protected. Research such as this is vital in helping society to build more effective responses and a safer online environment for everyone.”