An investigation into the disclosure practices of intimate-partner violence and image-based sexual abuse: an empirical examination of reporting routes, the impact of shame and stigma in IBSA and gender differences in IPV

Background & Aim: Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) and intimate-partner violence (IPV) present urgent clinical and societal challenges, yet the pathways through which survivors disclose these experiences remain poorly understood, especially for IBSA, an emergent, digitally mediated offence. Moreover, the prevailing characterisation of IPV as predominantly a “women’s issue” necessitates empirical examination of gender effects. Accordingly, this thesis investigates how the types of abuse, preferred disclosure routes, psychological deterrents to IBSA disclosure, and gender intersect to shape reporting practices, and how the resulting insights can inform counselling psychology practice and training. Methods: A two-study, mixed-methods programme addressed complementary components of the overarching research question. Study 1 (N = 180) employed a 2 (abuse type: IPV vs. IBSA) × 2 (gender: male vs. female) design to compare (a) direct versus indirect reporting and (b) gender differences in IPV disclosure. Study 2 (N = 258) assessed whether perceived stigma predicts the likelihood of IBSA disclosure and whether internalised shame moderates that relationship. Findings: Abuse type shapes disclosure method. IPV survivors predominantly disclosed directly, whereas IBSA victims displayed no clear preference and were markedly less likely to disclose overall. Shame, rather than stigma, reduces the likelihood of IBSA disclosure. Internalised shame emerged as the primary psychological barrier; perceived stigma exerted no independent effect. Gender does not influence IPV reporting. Male and female participants reported IPV at comparable rates, challenging gender-exclusive conceptions of the phenomenon. Conclusion: The findings of this thesis suggest that effective interventions must be abuse-specific, shame-attuned for IBSA and safety-oriented for IPV, while remaining gender-inclusive. Thereby offering a more inclusive and psychologically nuanced framework for supporting survivors of IPV and IBSA abuse.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Professional Doctorate

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wolverhampton

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Fulcott, Kanika

• revenge pornography and disclosure
• technology-facilitated abuse and disclosure
• image-based sexual abuse and disclosure
• intimate partner violence and disclosure
• domestic abuse and disclosure
• partner violence
• intimate partner violence and gender
• intimate partner violence prevalence and risk factors
• image-based sexual abuse and stigma
• image-based sexual abuse and shame

Licence

• https://wlv.openrepository.com/bitstreams/8c461471-7655-4228-b7ee-337474705ef8/download