Enhancing Capacity of The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI) Image Abuse Helpline

Enhancing Capacity of The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI) Image Abuse Helpline

The purpose of the project is to expand the capacity of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI) Image Abuse Helpline, the nation’s only 24/7 hotline that assists victims and survivors of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA).

IBSA encompasses three primary crime categories, including nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (NDII), sextortion, and synthetic intimate images, or “deep fakes.” IBSA may co-occur with other forms of online harassment or offline offenses, including dissemination of child sex abuse or exploitation material; doxing; surveillance; hacking; cyber-stalking; stalking; sexual assault; domestic abuse; child abuse; and trafficking, among others. 

IBSA inflicts extensive harm on victims and survivors, including threats to physical safety; difficulty securing or maintaining employment; substantial financial loss; difficulty staying in or thriving in school; emotional distress; suicidal ideation; and erosion of social support networks. 

The primary activity included in this project is to offer crisis intervention services for victims and survivors of IBSA.  Services offered will include providing information and referrals; conducting a physical safety assessment; offering guidance related to image searching, documenting evidence, image reporting, and image takedown; providing referrals to attorneys; and other services.  The expected outcome is that 21,700 clients will be served through this project. The secondary activity is to raise awareness through a series of outreach events regarding IBSA perpetration and possible solutions, with an outcome of 36 trainings delivered.  

The service area for this project includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The intended beneficiaries of this project include adult victims and survivors of IBSA who are 18 years old or over.