Intimate image abuse (revenge porn)
In this section:
| 1. What is intimate image abuse (revenge porn) |
| 2. What you can do: reporting it to us |
| 3. Reporting it to social media companies if it happened online |
| 4. Help and support |
Intimate image abuse or 'revenge porn' is when someone shares, or threatens to share, intimate photos or videos of you without your permission.
It is a serious sexual offence, which includes:
- posting intimate images or videos online
- sending them by text or e-mail
- showing someone a physical or electronic image
- sharing edited or fake images or videos, like deepfakes, that appear real.
An intimate image or video could show someone's private parts exposed or in underwear. It could also show someone having sex or doing something private in their bathroom. The image or video must not have been consensually shared previously.
Intimate image abuse can involve someone you know, like a partner or ex-partner. But you may not know the person. It can be done by anyone. It doesn't matter who did this to you: it's never your fault, you are not to blame and have done nothing wrong.
Sextortion is different from intimate image abuse. It's when criminals threaten to share sexual pictures, videos, or information about you unless you pay money or do something else you don’t want to. Both are illegal, but you do not need to work out which offence applies to you. Report it to the police and they will work it out.
If you are a victim of intimate image abuse, you might feel anxiety, fear and feelings of distrust and violation. There's no right or wrong way to feel, and we understand that. There is help and support available to you how ever you feel.
We understand it takes courage, but reporting to us is the first step. We can help you with getting the intimate content removed, and give you the support you need.