Call It What It Is

An authoritative and urgently needed resource for survivors and their allies, this practical guide offers emotional clarity and a clear-eyed examination of Image-Based Abuse as a form of sexual violence hiding in plain sight.

Whether the harm involves authentic images shared without consent or AI-generated deepfakes, this book provides actionable advice on everything from removing nonconsensual intimate imagery and protecting digital privacy to navigating the legal system and rebuilding your life.

Inside, youll find tools to help you:
Understand the full scope and impact of image-based sexual abuse Remove content and secure your digital privacy Confidently navigate the legal system, including civil remedies, criminal laws, and policy reform Protect your mental health while coping with trauma, stigma, and professional consequences Support survivors without perpetuating harm Reclaim your narrative and advocate for the legal, technological, and cultural change needed to combat digital sexual violence
At the end of Susanna Gibsons campaign for the Virginia House of Delegates, intimate images and recordings she never consented to, and never knew existed, were circulated globally and viewed by millions. As she dealt with the fallout, she found no roadmap, no clear language for what had happened, and no one who could tell her what to do.

Part memoir, part legal guide, and part survival manual, Call It What It Is meets readers wherever they are, whether in the first hours of crisis or years into recovery. This is the book she wishes she’d had.