Intimate Image Abuse
(Also known as 'Revenge Porn')
What is intimate image abuse?
Intimate image abuserefers to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and videos. This is sometimes referred to as 'revenge porn' or 'image-based abuse'. This content can be shared in a multitude of ways including, in-person, through texts, emails and messages, on social media platforms, porn sites and in group chats. This crime can be committed by anyone and anyone can be affected. If you have been affected, please remember this isn’t your fault and you haven’t done anything wrong.
What can I do if my intimate images are shared online?
If this has happened to you, and you are over the age of 18 talking to an organisation such as the Revenge Porn Helpline can help to provide you with more advice and support. The Revenge Porn Helpline is available in the UK, and is openMonday to Friday 10am - 4pm by calling 0345 6000 459 or emailing help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
What is StopNCII.org?
StopNCII.org (Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse) is a free global tool to protect intimate images from being shared online by perpetrators of intimate image abuse.
StopNCII.org creates a digital fingerprint, known as a hash, of your intimate image so it can be blocked from sharing on participating platforms. Intimate images are never transferred to nor saved on the StopNCII.org website, instead, the image never leaves the user's device.
You can find more information on Intimae Image Abuse, and The Revenge Porn Helpline below.
Support all adults (those over the age of 18) in the UK who are victims of intimate image abuse and who have had their intimate images and videos shared without their consent, or when someone is threatening to do this.
- Provide non-judgemental and confidential advice via the phone or by email.
- Assit with the reporting and removal of content. Whilst they cannot guarantee removal of all images, they do hold a very good takedown record.
- Offer help and advice on the social media platform’s community guidelines and policies and how to report and remove content to which they should respond promptly. If not, they can help.
- Offer advice on the UK law and provide information on reporting crimes to the police and the evidence you may need to gather.
- Referral relationship with the QMUL Legal Advice Centre who provide free legal advice for victims of intimate image abuse.
The Revenge Porn Helpline is only funded to support adults affected by intimate image abuse in the UK.
If you are not from the UK but require support for this abuse, we would recommend that you make a report to the police.
You can also find a list of organisations that may be able to support you here.
Anyone concerned about their intimate images being shared online can use the global tool, StopNCII.org, to help protect their intimate images on certain websites and online platforms.
StopNCII.org is a free tool designed to support victims of Non-Consensual Intimate Image (NCII) abuse.
The tool works by generating a hash from your intimate image(s)/video(s). Image hashing is the process of using an algorithm to assign a unique hash value to an image. Duplicate copies of the image all have the exact same hash value. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as a ‘digital fingerprint’. StopNCII.org then shares the hash with participating companies so they can help detect and remove the images from being shared online.
As of January 31st 2024, the legislation in England and Wales has changed. The date of when the incident happened, will affect which legislation can be used. The new legislation introduced is not retrospective, meaning it will not be applied to offences before the commencement date.
If the incident happened between April 2015 and 31st January 2024, please see the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
If the incident happened after 31st January 2024, please see the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
The Revenge Porn Helpline, and The Report Harmful Content service is unable to support anyone under the age of 18 who have had private sexual images shared is this content is illegal. However, we provide as much information and signposting towards the services that can help.
Find more information below about why we can't help and most importantly, who can.
You're not alone and help is out there.
Intimate image abuse can have huge consequences on your mental health and wellbeing. The trauma can leave you feeling distressed, humiliated and alone. Here's a wide range of services and organisations that operate within the UK that are there to help support you cope with what has happened.
