Lawyers For Privacy, Image Based Abuse And Other Personal Integrity Violations
Lawyers For Privacy, Image Based Abuse And Other Personal Integrity Violations
Some harms do not fit neatly into “personal injury” or “workplace law” or “criminal law” yet they still strike at the core of who you are.
They might involve your body, your image, your privacy or your dignity. They often involve technology. They nearly always involve a misuse of power.
At Donaldson Law we describe these matters as Personal Integrity Violations. We act for people across Australia whose personal integrity has been violated through:
- non consensual sharing of intimate images and deepfakes
- serious online harassment or technology facilitated abuse
- serious invasions of privacy including misuse of private information
- unlawful surveillance and recording in intimate or vulnerable contexts
- degrading or invasive treatment by institutions or people in positions of power
Our focus is on survivors. We do not defend these cases. We help you understand your rights, the legal pathways available in your State or Territory and the practical options for holding wrongdoers to account.
What Are Personal Integrity Violations
Personal integrity violations are serious intrusions into your bodily autonomy, privacy or dignity. They can happen online, offline or in spaces that blend the two.
Common examples include:
- your intimate images are shared, threatened or created without consent (including deepfakes)
- private messages or medical records are disclosed in a way that causes significant harm
- you are filmed, recorded or tracked without consent in situations where you reasonably expect privacy
- you experience ongoing cyber harassment or doxxing that exposes you to risk
- a person in a position of power treats you in a degrading or invasive way that crosses clear boundaries
These harms often sit across criminal law, civil law, human rights frameworks and regulatory systems. Our work is to map those intersections in a way that is trauma informed and practical.
Types Of Personal Integrity Matters We Act In
We use this practice area to capture a wide range of serious matters that do not sit comfortably inside traditional “personal injury” labels.
Image Based Abuse and Deepfakes
In most Australian jurisdictions it is a crime to take, share or threaten to share an intimate image without consent. Each State and Territory has its own offences that sit alongside a national image based abuse scheme overseen by the eSafety Commissioner under the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth).
We help survivors of image based abuse to:
• understand criminal complaint options in their State or Territory
• use the eSafety removal and complaints process to get content taken down quickly where possible
• consider civil options such as breach of confidence, privacy based claims or compensation where appropriate
Serious Invasions of Privacy
Alongside that, common law actions such as breach of confidence can provide civil remedies for wrongful disclosure or misuse of private information.
We act in matters where a serious invasion of privacy has caused significant psychological injury or reputational harm, especially where it affects survivors of institutional abuse, Defence members or other vulnerable clients.
Unlawful Surveillance and Recording
Unlawful surveillance can include:
• hidden cameras in private spaces
• covert audio recording of sensitive conversations
• tracking devices used in coercive or abusive ways
We help survivors understand how surveillance laws in their State or Territory apply to what has happened and what civil or regulatory options sit alongside any police complaint.
Technology Facilitated Coercion and Harassment
• relentless online harassment or doxxing
• threats to release private information or images
• coordinated attacks that involve multiple platforms
Depending on where you live, these behaviours may fall under:
• Commonwealth online safety and telecommunications laws
• State and Territory stalking, harassment or family violence legislation
• human rights or anti discrimination frameworks in some circumstances
We focus on matters where tech based conduct forms part of a wider pattern of abuse or institutional betrayal.
Legal Frameworks Across States and Territories
Because Donaldson Law acts nationally, we pay close attention to how different jurisdictions approach personal integrity violations.
Relevant frameworks can include:
- Commonwealth law
- Online Safety Act 2021 and the eSafety image based abuse scheme for removal notices and civil penalties
- Telecommunications and surveillance legislation dealing with interception and tracking
- Privacy Act 1988 and upcoming statutory tort for serious invasion of privacy
- State and Territory criminal law
- image based abuse and intimate image offences (for example Division 15C of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and equivalent offences in other States and Territories)
- offences relating to stalking, harassment or unlawful recording
- State and Territory surveillance devices and privacy related legislation
- surveillance devices Acts in each State and Territory that govern listening, optical and tracking devices
- Human rights and discrimination frameworks
- human rights Acts in the ACT, Victoria and Queensland
- anti discrimination frameworks that overlap with serious personal integrity issues in some cases
You do not need to know which Act applies. When you contact us we identify the relevant jurisdiction, explain which laws cover your situation and help you choose the best mix of civil, regulatory and complaint options.
How Donaldson Law Helps With Personal Integrity Violations
We are an abuse focused firm, not a general commercial or defamation practice. That means we concentrate on personal integrity matters where there is a significant power imbalance or where the harm connects with our core abuse work.
In Personal Integrity Violations matters we can:
- give early advice on whether your experience is likely to support a civil claim, a complaint to a regulator or both
- help you use rapid response tools such as eSafety removal processes for image based abuse
- coordinate with police or regulators where criminal or regulatory action is being considered
- pursue civil claims where there is a realistic pathway to compensation or meaningful non financial outcomes
- ensure any steps taken sit sensibly alongside existing abuse claims, DVA entitlements or other proceedings
We are clear about what we can and cannot do. If your issue is better suited to a privacy regulator, a human rights commission, a criminal lawyer or a different specialist firm we will say so and help you connect with the right support.
Why Survivors Choose Donaldson Law For Personal Integrity Violations
Survivors choose Donaldson Law because:
- We see the whole person not just the case type
Many clients who experience image based abuse, privacy breaches or tech based harassment also have histories of institutional abuse, Defence trauma or other complex experiences. We hold that context in view when we design a legal strategy. - We understand the evolving law
Image based abuse offences, online safety laws and privacy reforms are moving quickly. We track developments in Commonwealth and State law so that our advice reflects the current landscape not old assumptions. - We are trauma informed
We plan meetings so that you are not blindsided. We minimise unnecessary retelling and we support you to bring someone you trust into the process if you wish. - We are practical and honest
Some harms are profound yet legal pathways are limited. We will be upfront about what the law can and cannot deliver and about the chances of achieving a meaningful outcome. - We collaborate across Better Lawyers Group
Where personal integrity violations overlap with workplace, human rights or commercial issues we work with our colleagues at Enterprise Legal so that you do not have to manage multiple firms.
Explore Your Options
How We Work With You
When you contact us about a personal integrity issue you do not have to know which label fits. You can start by telling us in simple terms what has happened.
From there we will usually:
Listen and stabilise
We give you space to describe what has happened at a pace that feels manageable and we check immediate safety and support needs.
Clarify the facts
We identify key timelines, platforms, institutions and individuals and gather any screenshots or documents you already hold.
Identify jurisdictions and frameworks
We work out which State or Territory law applies plus any relevant Commonwealth privacy, online safety or surveillance frameworks.
Outline your options
We explain the practical pros and cons of civil claims, regulatory complaints, takedown processes and any other pathways that apply.
Design a strategy with you
We help you choose next steps that reflect your health, your support network and what you want from any legal process.
Coordinate with other matters
If you have an existing abuse claim, ADF entitlements matter or workplace process we align any personal integrity steps so that they work together.
You remain in control of whether to move forward and how far to take any process.
Personal Integrity Violations FAQs
If your privacy, your image or your dignity has been violated and you are unsure where it fits in the legal landscape you can contact us by phone, email or through our online form.
