More victims of AI deepfakes are seeking support

More victims of intimate deepfake imagery are seeking support from Guernsey's Victim Support and Witness Service.

Jenny Murphy, who manages the service, said she was concerned by the increase in reports of deepfakes, image or video altered using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to replace a person's face or voice which is increasingly being used to create sexual images.

At present in Guernsey, sharing intimate images without consent is an offence but asking an AI tool to create them is not.

The Home Affairs Committee is looking to change this through a proposed change in the Sexual Offences Law 2020.

Murphy said the impact of deepfakes on victims was huge and concerning.

"Imagine just getting this phone call from a police officer, or potentially a friend or someone who knows you, that they've seen this image out there," she said.

Det Insp Thomas Lowe of Guernsey Police said the force was "looking at how the legislation can help us enforce and prosecute and safeguard victims from these offences.

"We've had a few cases in the last year which has prompted this reform and for me, it's important to instead of playing catch-up, to get ahead," Lowe said.

Lowe said the issue was "high on the radar" and there were other ways the police could help victims.

"We'll review and investigate where proportionate and look at the offences they might also be committing...and put in the that they deserve."

Sophie Mortimer, Revenge Porn helpline manager in the UK said it had seen a rise through 2024 and now into 2025" of the creation of synthetic sexual imagery but it could be tough to catch the perpetrators.

"We frequently see people who become victims of this sort of behaviour in one country, the perpetrator's in another, the site that the content is being shared on is in yet another country and enforcement and regulation vary hugely," she said.

She added that in many cases, the victim did not know the imagery had been created, which stood in the way of reporting.

Murphy said in cases where victims did learn of the images, the impact on them was huge, "I think it's really important to urge people to come forward and get help and support," she said.

"As a charity, we're here to look after you...we can help people talk through what's happened, talk through thoughts, feelings, reactions but also help practically as well" Murphy added.

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