The NCII Summit, held during the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), brought together key stakeholders from technology, policy, and advocacy to address the urgent issue of Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (NCII). The event provided a crucial platform to discuss the escalating challenge of Tech-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls (TFVAWG) and to highlight the collective efforts needed to drive meaningful change.
Collective Efforts to Fight NCII
The summit underscored the growing recognition of NCII as a severe and under-documented form of abuse. Despite advancements in awareness and policy, the harm caused by NCII continues to expand. The event facilitated crucial conversations about technological solutions, evolving regulations, and the increasing number of platforms committing to integrated safety measures.
The Summit featured contributions from a diverse range of global experts and policymakers, including Courtney Gregoire (Microsoft), Delphine Schantz (UNODC), Kirith Entwistle MP (UK Women and Equalities Committee), and Maria Andriani Kostopoulou (President of GREVIO). Tech industry leaders from Meta, TikTok, and Microsoft shared their latest approaches to combating NCII, alongside leading NGOs such as CCRI (USA), WESNET (Australia), ONG Amaranta (Chile), and our very own Revenge Porn Helpline.
A notable moment came from Senator Ted Cruz, who delivered a video address recognising the severity of the harm and the global efforts needed to protect individuals online.
Regulatory and Policy Developments
A key discussion at the Summit revolved around the evolving global regulatory landscape. Policymakers and legal experts examined recent legislative advancements, including the UK’s Online Safety Act, the SHIELD Act and Take It Down Program in the U.S., and Article 16 of the UN Convention on Cybercrime. The panel discussion emphasised the need for harmonised international policies to ensure comprehensive protections against NCII.
Technology’s Role in Preventing NCII
The Summit also served as a platform to highlight the latest technological responses to NCII. Platforms demonstrated how advancements in hash-sharing and AI-driven detection systems are helping to prevent intimate images from being shared without consent. StopNCII.org, the global initiative launched by SWGfL, remains at the forefront of this effort, with growing industry adoption.
A major announcement at the Summit was Patreon becoming the latest platform to integrate StopNCII.org, reinforcing industry-wide momentum towards proactive safety measures. Alongside this, new impact figures were released:
1.3 million hashes have now been created through StopNCII.org, empowering individuals to protect their images proactively.
Over 25,000 NCII images have been successfully prevented from being shared online, demonstrating the tangible impact of technological interventions.
In the technology and industry panel, Cindy Southworth from Meta discussed how the platform is implementing protective measures to support against NCII abuse and issues such as sextortion. As discussed throughout this panel, prevention is key and Cindy highlighted how collaborative efforts and working with initiatives like StopNCII.org are so important.
Ebony Tucker from TikTok highlighted the platform's approach with the protection of users being their priority. Policies do not allow non-consensually shared intimate images with their Safety Centre also focusing on image based sexual abuse.
The panel also focussed on how AI technology has evolved and how platforms can disrupt and stop the misuse of apps to create synthetic sexual media, further highlighting the need for cross industry collaboration.
Survivor Testimonies: The Human Impact
One of the most powerful moments of the Summit came from a survivor who bravely shared her experience with NCII. Her testimony highlighted the emotional, social, and economic toll of intimate image abuse and reinforced the urgent need for survivor-centered policies and stronger support systems. The discussion also addressed gaps in current victim assistance programs and the importance of holistic support services.
NGOs and Cross-Sector Collaboration
NGOs from across the globe, including Revenge Porn Helpline (UK), CCRI (USA), WESNET (Australia), and ONG Amaranta (Chile), played a vital role in the Summit. They shared on-the-ground insights into the challenges faced by victims and the need for stronger cross-sector collaboration between policymakers, tech companies, and advocacy groups.
The panel discusses the importance of amplifying survivor voices while ensuring ethical safeguards and protection. The panel emphasises that survivors must not be put at risk, highlighting the strategies organisations have in place to achieve this.
Sophie Mortimer from the Revenge Porn Helpline showcased the importance of collaboration when it comes to the removal and prevention of non-consensually share intimate images. Sophie explored how victims of intimate images need their content to be removed. The Revenge Porn Helpline has seen a successful removal rate thanks to the collaborative efforts of online platforms, however there are inconsistencies with reporting mechanisms, and policies and advice which hinder efforts to remove content. Sophie also discussed how some online platforms do not comply with requests from the Revenge Porn Helpline, with non-compliance further contributing to the spread and viewing of non-consensually shared intimate images. As Sophie says, the needs of victims need to be put first.
Focusing on global sensitivities, the panel explored how platforms can support victims from different social groups, with advocacy, research, and accessible resources at the forefront of these efforts. Although AI technology is being used across NGOs it’s emphasised how human efforts can be used to understand cultural differences and the needs of victims who are facing complex crimes.
With the understanding that intimate image abuse is a factor within online gender-based violence, the panel explored the complexities of cases and how support services need to address additional crimes alongside NCII abuse.
Victims are facing various issues that tether them to technology and create further fear. The implementation of strategies and technology addresses the complexities of technology gender-based abuse and the part that NCII abuse plays within this, but improved understanding is needed.
The event reinforced the message that effective solutions to NCII require a unified approach, with ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and accountability from all sectors.
Actionable Outcomes from the Summit
The Summit concluded with a resounding commitment from stakeholders to continue strengthening global efforts to combat NCII. Key commitments included:
Enhancing Global Collaboration: Strengthening coordination between tech companies, governments, and advocacy groups to improve responses to NCII and TFVAWG.
Policy Development and Legislative Alignment: Calls for harmonised global policies to ensure consistency in how NCII offenses are addressed.
Investment in Technology and Prevention Measures: Tech firms pledged to expand hash-sharing databases, improve automated detection, and strengthen reporting mechanisms.
Amplifying Survivor Voices: Ensuring that survivor experiences remain central to policy discussions and industry commitments.
Data-Driven Research Initiatives: Recognising the need for comprehensive data, researchers and organisations committed to prioritising studies that document the prevalence, impact, and effectiveness of interventions.
A Call to Action
The NCII Summit was a landmark event, reinforcing the urgency of tackling Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse and Tech-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls. By uniting global leaders in technology, policy, and advocacy, the Summit set the stage for continued advancements in regulation, technological innovation, and survivor support.
As the global fight against NCII progresses, collaborative, sustained efforts will be required to ensure a safer digital world for all. The NCII Summit was not just a conversation—it was a call to action, and the momentum generated must continue to drive impactful change in the fight against online abuse.
