We support all victims of intimate image abuse.
Our service is 100% sex worker-friendly. Regardless of what you do for a living, we will always aim to provide non-judgemental and confidential advice. If you feel comfortable telling us of your sex worker status, this will help us to provide you with the best advice we can and also signpost to you more specific help and support services.
The following is basic advice for various issues we see frequently on the Helpline which may help but please do not hesitate to get in touch for further information and support.
You can find more online privacy advice for sex workers here
Frequently asked questions
When intimate images are uploaded to a public forum (such as Adultwork or OnlyFans) the images would not be included under the current UK law of disclosing intimate images without consent, this is because the images are not classified as 'private' and are considered professional.
Whilst this may not breach this particular law, it may fall under different legislation such as copyright infringement or harassment (depending on what other behaviours are going on). We would advise you to look at the terms and conditions of the website you use to create and share content and see what their policy is on this and who owns the copyright to the images. You might be able to get in touch with the platform for further help and support.
We are limited in what we can do to help report the content for removal however we can provide advice on the best way to report this content for removal, you can also find more advice on DIY reporting here.
It is against the law in the UK to share an intimate image or video without consent and with the intention of causing distress. If the images being shared are your private intimate images, not shared or sold on any online platforms, then this law has been broken.
It is a sexual offence called Voyeurism for someone to record a private sexual image or video of someone without their knowledge or consent for sexual gratification. It is also against the law in the UK to share an intimate image or video without consent and with the intention of causing distress. Regardless of how this footage was obtained, it is against the law. It is your right to report what has happened to the police, an outreach organisation or sex worker service may be able to help you further with this.
We can help to report the video that has been shared online without consent. All we need is a direct URL link to the content and we can report this for you on your behalf. We cannot guarantee any removals but we do hold a very high takedown rate and have trusted flagger relationship with many adult sites to remove content quickly. Alternatively, you can find more information on DIY reporting here.
If someone is threatening to share images or out your status, we would encourage you to collect evidence of the threats, block, and stop all communication. Blackmail is a serious crime in the UK and depending on what else is happening, this may be covered by Harassment laws. We would encourage you to report this to the police and also make a report to National Ugly Mugs which can help to protect other sex workers from the same crime.
Threats to share intimate content is not yet a specific offence under UK law, but threats to share personal private sexual content to cause distress is included under the sentencing guidelines of the Communications Act (2003).
It may also be a good idea to review and raise your privacy settings on all personal social media accounts, you can find more about this here.
Regional and national services
We believe it's important to try and provide as much information and support as possible. Below you can find some more national and regional services and further access to more advice and information.
Ugly Mugs
A national organisation which provides greater access to justice and protection for sex workers
Beyond the Streets
A UK charity who provide a free and confidential call-back service for women in the sex industry.
The North East Sex Work Forum (NESWF)
Develop and deliver services for individuals across the North East and beyond involved in all aspects of the sex industry. Their website provides research, resources and an extensive sex worker friendly service directory.
Basis Yorkshire Sex Work Project - Leeds
Basis Sex Work Project supports female and transgender sex workers living and/or working in Leeds
ArchWay Project - Teesside area
An ARCHWay ISVA is a specialist service that can support people involved in or exploited through the sex industry who have experienced rape or sexual assault.
The Mens Room - Manchester
The Men’s Room is an arts & health charity supporting men and trans people who sex work, are homeless or both.
The MASH - Manchester
Provides free and confidential support for women who are sex working in Greater Manchester.
POW - Nottingham
POW Nottingham supports the rights of sex workers and those at risk of being exploited
Umbrella The SAFE project - Birmingham/Solihull
The SAFE project is a sexual health service for people who work, have worked or may start working in the commercial sex industry across Birmingham and Solihull.
Open Doors - East London
A free and confidential advice service in East London for people working in the sex industry.
Clinic S - Whitechapel, London
Clinic S offers a free and confidential service to women, men, trans* and gender non-binary individuals, working in the sex or adult entertainment industry.
CLASH and SHOC - Camden, Islington and Haringey.
CLASH and SHOC provides free and confidential sexual health outreach services for sex workers.
Yada - West Sussex
Yada is a charity that offers support to women in the sex industry and women at risk of sexual exploitation in areas of West Sussex.
SWOP Sussex - Brighton and Hove
SWOP Sussex (Sex Workers’ Outreach Project) is for women who live or sex work in Sussex.
Umbrella Lane - Glasgow
Umbrella Lane is dedicated to supporting the needs and rights of sex workers in Glasgow.
Chrysalis sex work project - Ireland
Chrysalis Sex Work Project provides a range of additional services to people engaged in sex work
Sex Workers Alliance Ireland
SWAI works with sex workers to fight for and promote the health, safety, participation and dignity of all sex workers in Ireland.
Resources and further information
Beyond the Gaze
Bespoke safety info based on the research findings and produced by internet based sex workers for the National Ugly Mugs and Beyond the Gaze websites
SAAFE.info
Support and Advice for Escorts
English Collective of Prostitutes
The English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) is a network of sex workers working both on the streets and indoors campaigning for decriminalisation and safety.
Ugly Mugs
A national organisation which provides greater access to justice and protection for sex workers