Revenge porn

Revenge porn is when someone shares intimate or sexual images or videos of another person without their consent. The name is misleading — it doesn't have to involve "revenge" or a breakup, and it isn't porn (it's abuse). A more accurate term is image-based sexual abuse. It's a criminal offence in the UK, and if it happens to you, it's not your fault — even if you originally sent the images willingly.

• Sharing someone's intimate images without their consent is illegal in the UK.
• It doesn't matter who took the image or how it was originally shared — distributing it without consent is the crime.
• It can carry up to 2 years in prison under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. [CHECK: current maximum sentence]
• Threatening to share intimate images is also an offence.
• If it happens to you, help is available to get images removed and the person reported.

What counts

The law covers any sharing of private sexual images without consent — this includes:

• Sending someone's nudes to a group chat
• Posting intimate images on social media
• Uploading images or videos to porn sites or any other website
• Showing someone else's intimate images on your phone to other people
• Threatening to share images as a way to control, blackmail, or intimidate someone

It doesn't have to be a complete nude. Sexually explicit images and images that show someone in a sexual situation are covered. The key is that the image is intimate or sexual and was shared without the person's consent.

If the person in the image is under 18, the images are classified as indecent images of a child — which is a separate and more serious offence.

Why the name is a problem

"Revenge porn" implies it only happens after a breakup as an act of revenge. In reality, it happens for all sorts of reasons — control, blackmail, bullying, showing off, or just cruelty. Calling it "porn" also implies the person in the images chose to be in pornography, which they didn't. "Image-based sexual abuse" is a more accurate term, though "revenge porn" is the one most people know.

The law

In England and Wales, sharing private sexual images without consent is a criminal offence under Section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. It carries a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. [CHECK: confirm current sentencing]

The Online Safety Act 2023 also strengthened protections, including making it easier to prosecute and covering a wider range of image-sharing behaviours. [CHECK: specific Online Safety Act provisions on intimate images]

Scotland has separate legislation covering this under the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016. [CHECK: NI legislation]

Threatening to share intimate images — even without actually doing it — is also an offence.

What to do if it happens to you

If someone has shared (or is threatening to share) your intimate images:

1. Screenshot everything — messages, threats, posts. This is your evidence.
2. Don't delete the original images from your own device if they form part of the evidence.
3. Report it to the platform — social media sites, porn sites, and messaging platforms have reporting tools for non-consensual intimate images. Many will remove them quickly.
4. Contact the Revenge Porn Helpline — they specialise in exactly this and can help get images removed from the internet.
5. Report to the police — this is a crime. You can report it through 101 (non-emergency) or in person. If you're in immediate danger, call 999.
6. Talk to someone you trust — a parent, teacher, counsellor, or helpline. You don't have to deal with this alone.

The most important thing: it's not your fault. Sending an intimate image to someone you trusted doesn't mean you consented to it being shared with the world. The person who shared it is the one who broke the law, not you.

Things people get wrong

"If you sent the photo, it's your fault." No. Sharing an image with one person in trust is not the same as consenting to it being shared with anyone else. The blame lies entirely with the person who shared it without consent.

"It only affects women." People of all genders experience image-based sexual abuse. Men and non-binary people are affected too, though women and girls are disproportionately targeted.

"Once it's online, there's nothing you can do." There is. The Revenge Porn Helpline and platforms like the Internet Watch Foundation can help get images removed. It might take time, but options exist.

Things people ask about revenge porn

What if someone is threatening to share my images but hasn't done it yet?

Threatening to share is also a crime. Screenshot the threats and report them — to the police and, if the threats are happening online, to the platform. Don't give in to demands.

Can I report it anonymously?

You can contact the Revenge Porn Helpline without giving your name initially. If you involve the police, they'll need your details, but everything is handled sensitively and confidentially.

What if I'm under 18?

If the images are of someone under 18, they're classified as indecent images of a child — which carries even more serious legal consequences for the person who shared them. You can report to CEOP, the Internet Watch Foundation, or the police.

What if the images were taken without my knowledge?

Taking intimate images of someone without their consent (like secret filming) is itself a criminal offence, separate from sharing them. Report both.

Where to get help

• Revenge Porn Helpline (0345 6000 459) — specialist support for anyone whose intimate images have been shared without consent. Can help with image removal.
• CEOP — for reporting if someone under 18 is involved.
• Internet Watch Foundation — for getting sexual images of under-18s removed from the internet.
• The police (101 non-emergency, 999 emergency) — revenge porn is a crime and can be reported.
• Childline (0800 1111) — confidential support for under-19s.

Revenge porn is when someone shares naked or sexual pictures or videos of another person without that person's permission. It's against the law in the UK and can lead to prison.

The name is misleading. It doesn't have to involve revenge or a breakup. It can happen for all sorts of reasons — to bully someone, to control them, to show off, or just to be cruel. And it's not porn. The person in the images didn't choose to have them shared.

It includes sending someone's pictures to a group chat, posting them online, showing them to other people on your phone, or threatening to share them. Even threatening to share is a crime.

If this happens to you, it is not your fault. Even if you originally sent the pictures yourself. Sending a picture to one person in trust is not the same as saying it's okay for the whole world to see it. The person who shared it is the one who broke the law.

There are things you can do. Save screenshots of everything as evidence. Report it to the website or app it was shared on. Contact the Revenge Porn Helpline, who can help get images taken down. You can also report it to the police.

If someone is threatening to share your pictures, don't give in to what they want. Save the threats as evidence and report them.