Find out how we've supported people affected by intimate image abuse.
We support thousands of people affected by intimate image abuse every year, and we know how daunting it can be to reach out for support. Here are some stories from the people we've helped, and how we've worked to ensure they get the support they need to fit their circumstances.
Content warning: The following stories contain sensitive themes, including sexual violence, drugs, and non-consensual activities.
Names and some details have been changed to protect the anonymity of our clients.
Stories
Alix's Story
Alix reached out to the Helpline, explaining their experience on an LGBT+ dating app where someone requested to exchange intimate images. Initially feeling comfortable with the chat's progression, they thought it could deepen their connection. However, after sharing the images, the user blocked Alix, leaving them feeling confused and exposed.
Months later, Alix received a follow request on Instagram from an unknown user who sent a screenshot of their image uploaded to a porn site, along with a threatening message. The site not only posted their images, but also disclosed personal details like Alix's full name, location, and sexual orientation.
Alix, who hadn't come out to their friends or family due to fear of non-acceptance, explained that they felt vulnerable. The Helpline practitioner offered initial emotional support and understanding about their situation, reassuring Alix that anything they chose to share would be kept confidential, before signposting Alix to long-term emotional support.
The practitioner conducted searches to locate the content. They found several intimate images shared on numerous sites, along with Alix's personal details.
The Helpline provided ongoing support, reporting the content for removal and offering weekly updates on progress. Ultimately, the Helpline successfully reported over 1,000 images, achieving a 90% removal rate for Alix's case. Alix explained that without the Helpline and emotional support service's support, they didn’t know how they would have coped with what had happened.
Will's Story
Trigger warning — this story contains content that some users may find distressing.
Will contacted the Revenge Porn Helpline to explain his recent experience. He described how he had been dating someone for a few months and decided to spend the weekend at their place, enjoying dinner and drinks together.
However, Will found himself feeling extremely intoxicated after just two drinks and lost most of his memory of the night. He recalled seeing a phone camera placed by the bed and suspected it was used to record their sexual encounter.
When Will confronted the person he was dating, they initially denied drugging him or recording anything. Later, they admitted to adding drugs to their drinks to enhance their sexual experience, despite Will never consenting to this.
Wanting to verify whether he was recorded, Will asked to check the person's camera roll. This request angered the person, prompting Will to leave out of concern for his safety.
Feeling unsure about involving the police due to lack of evidence and fear of the perpetrator's reaction, Will sought guidance from the Revenge Porn Helpline. A practitioner offered initial emotional support and directed Will to legal resources to help him understand his options. The practitioner then conducted searches to ensure the content wasn't shared online without Will's consent.
Will expressed that the practitioner was empathetic, understanding and compassionate about his fears. He explained that the Helpline supported him through a very challenging time.
Amira's Story
Amira reached out to the Revenge Porn Helpline, sharing that her ex-partner had been sending threatening text messages. He threatened to 'expose her' and planned to share her nude pictures on an impersonation Instagram account he had created in her name.
She explained that she had recently transitioned and moved to university, where she finally felt comfortable being herself. Amira hadn't disclosed her transition to many people yet, and preferred to keep it private for now.
The images her ex threatened to share were taken before her transition. They brought back painful memories of a time when she felt isolated and unable to express herself.
Our practitioner suggested the steps that Amira could take to report the situation, alongside connecting her with services that specialise in LGBTQ+ support. The Helpline recommended that Amira hashed her intimate images through StopNCII.org, a tool designed to protect adults around the world from having their images shared non-consensually. They explained how StopNCII.org would help to detect and remove her intimate images or videos if they were shared on participating platforms.
This step gave Amira the reassurance she needed that her intimate images wouldn’t be uploaded to Instagram or any of the other participating platforms, providing her with peace of mind.
Amira expressed how hashing her images made her feel empowered and helped her regain control of where her content was shared. Amira explained how she found the Revenge Porn Helpline's support and the use of StopNCII.org invaluable.
Find out more about the participating platforms using StopNCII.org.