New York, 12 March 2025 – On March 12, 2025, at Microsoft’s headquarters in New York, global experts, policymakers, industry leaders and civil society representatives convened for the Non-Consensual Dissemination of Intimate Images (NCII) Abuse Summit, a pivotal event held during the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Hosted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL), the summit aimed to drive urgent action against non-consensual intimate image abuse (NCII) — a growing cybercrime that disproportionately impacts women and girls worldwide.
Despite increasing regulatory and technological efforts, NCII remains largely under-documented, leaving victims without adequate protection or recourse. The summit spotlighted emerging solutions, evolving legal frameworks, and innovative industry responses while calling for enhanced global cooperation to combat this pressing issue.
The landscape of NCII has evolved significantly in recent years. The recently adopted UN Convention against Cybercrime, with a specific focus on NCII under Article 16, alongside legislative advances such as the UK Online Safety Act, the U.S. Shield and Take It Down Acts, and the EU’s first law combating violence against women, signaled a growing international consensus on addressing this abuse. StopNCII and other stakeholders emerged with solutions utilizing advanced hashing technology to prevent the spread of intimate images without consent. While NCII is increasingly recognized as a serious form of gender-based violence, comprehensive global data remains lacking. The Summit facilitated knowledge-sharing and encouraged cross-sector collaboration to bridge this gap.
During the opening session, Delphine Shantz, UNODC Representative in New York, further emphasized the need for global cooperation. Representatives from Qatar and a U.S. Senator’s office also delivered remarks advocating for the Take It Down Act as a critical legislative response.
H.E. Mr. Mohammed Al Nasr, Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar, stated that the UN Cybercrime Convention provides a robust mechanism to tackle NCII and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to working with the UN to advance global solutions to counter this crime.
Ms. Nayelly Loya, Head of the UNODC Global Programme on Cybercrime, underscored the holistic approach led by the Global Programme on Cybercrime, which supports legal frameworks, provides technical assistance, and delivers specialized training in handling digital evidence. She emphasized a victim-centered approach that ensures law enforcement agencies are equipped to investigate cybercrimes effectively while safeguarding survivors' rights. Mr. Mustafa Erten, UNODC Regional Centre for Combating Cybercrime, noted that in less than a year and a half, the center has established vital training programs focusing on both prevention and combating cybercrime, underscoring the need for this work to continue and expand globally.
The Summit provided a high-level platform for stakeholders to raise awareness of NCII within the broader scope of technology-facilitated crimes against women and girls, amplifying survivor voices and addressing the social impact. It examined industry responses, showcasing best practices in online safety and platform accountability. It also highlighted regulatory advances, fostering dialogue on harmonizing global legislative efforts, and promoting public-private collaboration, uniting policymakers, tech leaders, and advocacy groups to develop sustainable solutions. Additionally, UNODC and SWGfL presented a Global Strategy to Combat NCII, alongside specialized training for law enforcement.
Survivor Testimony & Policy Panel
The NCII Summit agenda opened with a powerful survivor session, where a speaker shared firsthand experiences, shedding light on the emotional, social, and economic impact of NCII. Their testimony reinforced the urgent need for strong legal protections and industry accountability.
A key panel discussion on Global and Regional Approaches to Technology-Facilitated Crimes Against Women and Girls, featured UK policymakers, the Fiji Online Safety Commission, and GREVIO. Highlights included:
🔹 Tajeshwari Devi, Fiji Online Safety Commissioner, emphasized the challenges of cross-border enforcement and the necessity of prevention, protection, and partnerships in addressing NCII.
🔹 Maria Andriani Kostopoulou, President of GREVIO, addressed the intersection of digital violence and intimate partner violence, highlighting the importance of trust-building in victim services and the need for mandatory training for law enforcement and legal professionals to prevent victim-blaming practices.
Platform and Technology Panel: Innovations and Responsibilities
This panel examined hash-sharing technology, content moderation, and user protections, with discussions led by moderator Karuna Nain (SWGfL trustee, formerly Meta) and panelists Liz Thomas (Microsoft), Cindy Southworth (Meta), and Ebony Tucker (TikTok).
Key insights:
🔹 Microsoft's partnership with StopNCII, as highlighted by Liz Thomas, was recognized as a victim-centered approach.
🔹 TikTok’s real-time reporting mechanisms, emphasized by Ebony Tucker, showcased NGO collaboration for survivor support.
NGO Panel: Support Systems and Advocacy
Featuring Michelle Gonzalez (CCRI, USA), Sophie Mortimer (Revenge Porn Helpline, UK), and Cecilia Ananias Soto (ONG Amaranta, Chile), this discussion focused on digital rights education, rapid content removal, and survivor-centered support mechanisms.
Key insights:
🔹 Karen Bentley (WESNET, Australia) presented research on the link between domestic violence and tech-facilitated coercion, urging stronger law enforcement training and victim services.
🔹 Panelists stressed the importance of global cooperation in tackling online harms.
As technology-facilitated gender-based violence escalates, the NCII Summit marked a crucial step toward global solutions. By uniting industry leaders, policymakers, NGOs, and survivors, the event advanced preventative measures, survivor empowerment, and a safer digital future for all.
