Victims of intimate image abuse are expressing frustration over the lack of justice they receive as the number of incidents continues to rise dramatically, while perpetrators remain unpunished.

Recent data shows a significant 26.9% increase in reported cases of intimate image abuse between July 2021 and June 2025, surging from 4,058 to 5,151 offenses. Shockingly, only 4.5% of cases in 2024/25 resulted in a charge or summons, down from 5.8% in 2021/22, according to figures uncovered by the charity Refuge using Freedom of Information laws.

Despite law enforcement being aware of the offenders’ identities, a mere 4.8% (1,047 cases) out of 21,905 reported offenses over five years led to charges or summons. Alarmingly, 56% (12,265 cases) were left without any charges, and 25% (5,417 cases) did not proceed due to lack of evidence.

On the fifth anniversary of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Refuge ambassador and former Love Island contestant Sharon Gaffka, 30, emphasized the serious impact of intimate image abuse, calling for stronger responses from police to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure the safety and well-being of survivors.

Emma Pickering from Refuge echoed these sentiments, highlighting the continued failure to support survivors of intimate image abuse despite advancements made by the Domestic Abuse Act. She stressed the urgent need for improved police training to address the disparity between reports and low charge rates.

The Domestic Abuse Act, enacted on April 29, 2021, following Refuge’s campaign, The Naked Threat, made threats to share intimate images a criminal offense. The government has since taken steps to combat the issue, including requiring tech companies to promptly remove non-consensually shared intimate images and establishing the Policing AI Threat Hub to combat AI’s criminal misuse.