Image-based abuse, also referred to as so-called “revenge porn” is a crime. Image-based abuse is when someone takes, shares, or threatens to share sexually explicit images or videos of another person without their knowledge or consent. This is done with the intention of causing the individual in the image alarm, distress or harm. Image based abuse also includes digitally created or altered images that depicts the victim in a sexually explicit way, this is known as ‘deepfakes’.
Conviction rate data recorded in the financial year ending in March 2019, shows that out of the 376 prosecutions for image based abuse, 313 cases (83%) were flagged as being domestic abuse related (ONS, 2019). Victims of image-based abuse and cyber stalking reported higher levels of harm than victims of other types of abuse.
There are several organisation that can support adults (18 years or over) experiencing image based abuse. They can offer advice, support and may be able to removed the content:
- Revenge Porn Helpline on 0345 6000 459 or by emailing help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
- The Cyber Helpline
- Crimestoppers or by calling their helpline on 0800 555 111. You can choose to remain anonymous, but try to give as much information as possible about the perpetrator (if known)
- Victim Support or by calling 08 08 16 89
For children (17 years or younger) experiencing image-based abuse:
Creating, sending or owning sexual images of a child is a crime.
Suggested actions you may wish to consider
If the content hasn’t been shared yet, but a threat has been made to share it, the following steps may be useful:
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If you have a copy of the image/video – you may be able to block it being shared on some platforms by working with them in advance. Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse are an organisation that can help block content from being uploaded to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
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Set up Google Alerts – setting up Google Alerts with your name may be a good way to spot if the content is shared online. Google sends you an email when certain terms appear in a Google Search.
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Speak to an expert – below are contact details of organisations that can offer advice and support.
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If the images/videos were accessed illegally – if the images were accessed by someone hacking your online accounts or devices then collecting evidence and securing your accounts is important. The Cyber Helpline can assist in opening a case via their chatbot function.
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Photos/videos may not be shared – the perpetrator may be threatening to share photos/videos in an attempt to control you, and have no intention of actually sharing the content. If you feel you are being controlled by your partner, ex-partner, or family member then contact COMPASS online or by calling 0330 333 7 444.
If the content has already been shared then:
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Collect evidence – Before taking steps to remove the content, take screenshots/photos of what has been shared, where it was shared, when it was shared and who shared it (from what accounts or username). This will be useful if you decide to report to police.
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Report it to the police – This is a crime and can be reported to the police by calling 101 or the live chat function on your local police force’s website. Removing the content may lose potential evidence, therefore, you may want to consider reporting it first before trying to have the content removed.
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Do not speak to the perpetrator – You may know who has shared your photos/videos and want to confront them or ask them to remove the content. This can escalate the issue and may not result in it being removed. Some perpetrators may try to get you to pay or do something else in return for the content being removed. Again, this may not actually result in the content being removed and may be an effort to control you.
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Contact the website/platform where the image/video was shared – You can report content to be removed on most social media platforms and adult websites. Contact the site to explain the content that has been shared is of you and that you would like it removed as your consent was not given for it to be shared. If you took the video or image then you are also the copyright owner and have the right to say where it can be shared. The Revenge Porn Helpline can help with this.
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Remove content from search engines – If you are unable to get the content removed, you can make it more difficult to be found and less likely to be viewed. Use the following links to access the forms for commonly used search engines – Google, Yahoo and Bing.
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Review your online security and privacy settings – this is a good time to increase the privacy of your social media profiles. Go to privacy settings and set your privacy as high as you can. Also review your connections and remove those you don’t recognise or trust.
