Dealing with intimate image abuse (“revenge porn”)
Intimate image abuse, also known as “Revenge porn” is when someone posts sexually explicit videos or pictures of you online without your permission. These private videos or images are shared maliciously to cause distress.
Often the images are taken with permission during a relationship, but are posted or shared after a break-up. These images could also have been taken without permission and may not be related to a relationship.
The images may have been shared amongst a small group (for example on WhatsApp) or shared publicly on porn sites and social media platforms.
Intimate image abuse has been a crime in most states in the US since 2022. It is illegal to share these videos or images either online or offline.
If someone is threatening to share this content, but hasn’t yet, see your Content for Ransom Guide. If this content has been recorded by a stranger online and is asking you to pay for it not to be shared see our Webcam Blackmail Guide.
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Approaches to dealing with intimate image abuse aka “revenge porn”
If you are experiencing someone sharing this type of content then you are likely to feel distressed, angry, embarrassed and a full range of other emotions. Remember that what has happened is a crime and it is not your fault.
If the content hasn’t been shared yet, but it has been threatened then there are things that you can do.
If you have a copy of the content - then you may be able to block it being shared on some platforms by working with them in advance. For example, StopNCII are an organization that can help block content from being uploaded to platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Setting up monitoring - 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 - like your name - appear in Google Search. Find out more here.
Get expert help - get in touch with the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative and get expert help on what you should do.
Review your social media privacy settings and friends lists - now is a good time to increase your privacy settings on your social media accounts and also to remove any ‘friends’ who you do not know well and could be the perpetrator.
If you think the images 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. You should also report this crime to the police. Go to our ‘Get Help’ page to open a case via our chatbot.
It may not be shared - in some instances the threat to share content is an attempt to control you only, with the person having no plan to actually share the content. If you feel you are being controlled by your partner then it may be worth chatting with a domestic abuse charity who can help you spot the signs and reduce your risk.
If the content has already been shared then:
Keep a copy of the evidence - Your first reaction is likely to be to have the content removed, as soon as possible. However, it is important to document what was shared, where it was shared, when it was shared and who shared it (from what accounts or username). Take screenshots and pictures and keep them somewhere safe. This evidence will allow you to progress a criminal case if you choose to do so. If this is part of a wider issue, or has been going on for a long time, then create a timeline that can be shared with law enforcement.
Report it - Report it to law enforcement (detail below) and give them the chance to investigate before the content is removed and any potential evidence destroyed.
Don’t engage with the suspect - If you know who is likely to have shared the content it is best not to engage with them directly and try to get them to remove the content. This can escalate the issue. It is also important not to be held hostage by the information being online and being asked to pay or do something else in return for the content being removed.
Contact the website used to share the content - Both social media sites and most adult sites have the capability for you to report content that should be taken down. Contact the site, once you have gathered the evidence, and ask them to remove it because they do not have your consent. If you took the video or image then you are also the copyright owner and you may wish to register the images with the U.S. Copyright Office to support you with demanding removal, there is a helpful guide on this by Without My Consent here.
Try not to monitor the content online and resulting comments - While the information is online try not to monitor the comments and feedback. This will cause more distress.
The content is now public - As hard as it is to deal with the content the perpetrator has shared is now public. Get the help and support you need to come to terms with this information being in the public domain.
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.
Report intimate image abuse - “revenge porn”
Intimate image abuse is a crime in most states, even if it is not a crime in your state there may be other crimes that it can be associated with, the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative have a useful guide here. Contact your local law enforcement to report your case.
If a company won’t remove your images after you have asked them, you can report it to the FTC here.
If you are under 18 you should report the issue to The Cyber TipLine.
Tap into expert intimate image abuse support - Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative is a specialist helpline that can provide support for victims of intimate image abuse. You can call their hotline on 1-844-878-2274 at any time.
They have also compiled a list of attorneys who may be able to provide pro bono or discounted support here.
You can also find a list of other organizations who may be able to help with the emotional impact here.
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