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From dominatrix to tech founder: A mission to stop image abuse
Madelaine Thomas, a professional dominatrix, turned personal betrayal into a technological solution after private images were leaked without consent. Her startup, Image Angel, now leads efforts to track and deter abusers using forensic watermarking.
The spark behind Image Angel
Thomas, 37, from Monmouthshire, described the violation of having explicit photos shared without permission. "These were beautiful pictures-I'm not ashamed of them. I'm ashamed of how they were weaponized against me by someone I didn't know," she said. The experience drove her to create a tool to hold abusers accountable.
Intimate image abuse, often called "revenge porn," is a criminal offense in the UK, punishable by up to two years in prison. Yet, a Revenge Porn Helpline report estimates 1.42% of UK women face such abuse annually, regardless of profession.
How the technology works
Image Angel embeds invisible forensic watermarks into images shared on platforms like dating apps or social media. Each viewer receives a uniquely marked copy, which persists even through screenshots or edits. If an image surfaces without consent, the watermark can trace the abuser's details, enabling legal action.
"This isn't new tech-it's used in Hollywood and sports broadcasting," Thomas noted. "We've tested it rigorously with a partner that has 30 years of experience. Now, we need to scale it."
Currently, one platform has adopted the system, with more in negotiations.
A survivor's perspective
"People ask, 'Why did you take those pictures?' I expect dignity, respect, and trust. The blame lies with the abuser, not the victim."
Madelaine Thomas
For a decade, Thomas found empowerment in her work as a dominatrix, framing it as a choice akin to any other profession. "It's me as a dominant woman, using my body as I wish," she said. Her transition into tech, though unconventional, was fueled by firsthand knowledge of the gaps in protection.
"I'm not tech-savvy-I spent sleepless nights researching and asking experts. But my experience gives me insights others lack," she added.
Broader efforts to combat abuse
Kate Worthington of the Revenge Porn Helpline emphasized the harm of victim-blaming. "Self-blame is reinforced when survivors are asked why they took the images. They did nothing wrong," she said. Worthington praised Thomas's work as part of a "multi-layered approach" to tackle tech-facilitated gender-based abuse.
Other tools, like StopNCII.org, use hash-based detection to remove non-consensual images from platforms. Yet, experts stress no single solution suffices.
Voices from survivors
TV presenter Jess Davies, 32, shared her trauma after images of her in her underwear were circulated at age 15. "It took too long for someone to say, 'This wasn't your fault,'" she said. Now an advocate, Davies underscores shifting blame to perpetrators: "Consent ends when the image is shared without permission."
Support for those affected is available via the BBC Action Line.
