Non-consensual intimate image abuse (revenge porn)
In this section:
| Get started: your options |
| Get help and support |
| Reporting it to the police |
| Further emotional and practical support |
Non-consensual intimate image abuse, or revenge porn, is when:
- someone shares, or threatens to share, intimate photos or videos of you without your permission
- someone creates, or asks someone to create, a fake intimate image or video of you that appears real, without your permission. This might be a deepfake
It is a serious sexual offence. If someone does any of the following without your permission, it's non-consensual intimate image abuse:
- posts intimate images or videos of you online
- sends the intimate images of you by text, a messaging app (like WhatsApp), social media, or e-mail
- shows someone a physical or electronic intimate image of you
- shares edited or fake images or videos of you, like deepfakes, that appear real
- helps or encourages someone to create a fake intimate image or video of you
If the intimate images were taken without your permission this may also be an offence.
The guidance below will help you understand the options you have.
What you can do if this happens
There is no right or wrong way to feel if someone shares, or threatens to share, intimate images or videos of you without your permission. We want you to know that it's not your fault.
You have options available to you depending on what you want to do next. The links below go to dedicated pages where you can find more information on each option. You don't need to do these things in any particular order, or do any of them at all. You can choose whatever feels right for you.
Get help and support
The Revenge Porn Helpline can help you get your intimate images or videos removed from online spaces. Tools like StopNCII.org can also help stop your intimate images or videos from being uploaded if someone is threatening to share them.
Our get help and support page provides more information on these services. This includes how you can take action by reporting directly to social media companies and adult sites.
Reporting it to the police
You have the option to report what's happened to you to the police. We’re here to help you and give you the support you need.
We understand that you may be experiencing harm that isn’t just about non-consensual intimate image abuse. For example, you may also be the victim of sextortion, stalking and harassment, and domestic abuse. These can also involve threatening to share, or sharing, intimate images or videos without your permission.
Someone may also be threatening to share images or videos of you that aren’t intimate, but personal in another way. For example, they might cause you issues within your family or community. This might involve blackmail.
You do not need to work out which crime has happened to you. You also don't need to work out if what's happened to you fits under the legal definition of non-consensual intimate image abuse. If something doesn't feel right, you can report what’s happened.
On our reporting it to the police page you can find out more about what to expect. This includes the evidence you could collect if you are able to.
Further emotional and practical support
If someone shares, or threatens to share, your intimate images or videos, you might feel fear, anxiety, feelings of distrust and violation. You also might react in a different way.
However you are feeling, there are support organisations and charities that can help you.
You can view the full list of options on our further emotional and practical support page.