Sexually Harmful Behaviours Research Lab
Sexting and non-consensual sharing
Understanding sexting, sexual coercion in digital contexts, non-consensual sharing, and safer practices.
Why this research matters
Separating consensual sexual expression from digital sexual harm
Sexting is common among young adults and can be a consensual form of sexual communication. Our research focuses on the circumstances in which digital sexual behaviour becomes harmful鈥攊ncluding pressure to sext, unsolicited sexting, sextortion, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Research program
What we examine
Consensual and unsolicited sexting
We examine the overlap and distinctions between consensual, unwanted, and unsolicited digital sexual communication.
Safer sexting practices
We study how risky practices vary across genders and sexual orientations and how evidence can support realistic, non-stigmatizing prevention messages.
Non-consensual sharing and coercion
We investigate the characteristics of people who forward sexts without consent and how this behaviour overlaps with in-person sexual coercion.
Current focus
We are continuing to examine when sexting is consensual, unwanted, or harmful, which practices are associated with greater vulnerability, and how research can inform safer sexting education without treating consensual behaviour as inherently problematic.
Recent and foundational work
Selected publications
Consensual and unsolicited sexting are not completely distinct
Holmes, E. J., Healey, L., Thorne, E., & Babchishin, K. M. (2025). Sexuality & Culture.
Safe sexting and sexual orientation
Holmes, E. J., & Babchishin, K. M. (2024). Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Non-consensual forwarding of sexts
Holmes, E. J., Baskurt, S., Hilkes, G., & Babchishin, K. M. (2024). Journal of Sexual Aggression.
Sexting in young adults: A normative sexual behavior
Thorne, E., Babchishin, K. M., Fisico, R., & Healey, L. (2024). Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53, 593鈥�609.
Watch the research summary
A short video from 杏吧原创鈥檚 Forensic Psychology Research Centre explains our study of non-consensual forwarding of sexts.
Support for this research
Funding partners
Interested in research collaboration?
We welcome conversations about data partnerships, applied research, knowledge exchange, and new research questions.