Removing Intimate Image Abuse (Revenge Porn)

Several criminal offences in England and Wales cover intimate image abuse:

• Section 67A, Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015: Makes it an offence to disclose a private sexual photograph or film without the consent of the person shown, where the disclosure causes or is likely to cause distress. Maximum sentence: 2 years imprisonment.
• Online Safety Act 2023, Sections 188–192: Introduced additional offences including: sharing intimate images without consent (regardless of intent to cause distress); threatening to share intimate images; and taking intimate images without consent. The "threatening" and intent-based sharing offences carry up to 2 years imprisonment; the basic sharing offence up to 6 months.
• Cyberflashing: The OSA 2023 also criminalised sending unsolicited intimate images electronically.

Scotland has equivalent provisions under the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016. Northern Ireland enacted the Intimate Images Act (Northern Ireland) 2024.

The Revenge Porn Helpline (RPH), operated by the charity SWGfL, is a free and confidential service for adults aged 18+ in England and Wales who have had intimate images shared without consent. The RPH can:

• Provide emotional support and practical advice
• Assist with submitting content removal requests to social media platforms and websites, using established relationships with platform trust and safety teams
• Help with reporting to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) where images appear on child sexual abuse material (CSAM) sites
• Refer you to the police or legal advisors where appropriate

Contact the RPH at 0345 6000 459 (Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm) or via their online reporting form at revengepornhelpline.org.uk. You do not need to report to the police to use the helpline.

You can report intimate image abuse to the police in England and Wales. When reporting:

1. Contact your local police via 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (if you are in immediate danger). You can also report online at your local force's website or via the RPH's support worker who can assist with the reporting process.
2. Gather evidence before reporting: screenshots of the images (with URLs visible), any messages relating to the sharing (e.g., threats), the platform(s) where images appear, and the name/profile of the person who shared them if known.
3. The police should investigate under the relevant criminal legislation. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) can prosecute even where the offender is overseas if the victim is in England and Wales.

You do not need to identify the perpetrator to report to the police — they may be able to assist with identification. You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).

In addition to criminal routes, civil remedies may be available:

• Injunction: A court can grant an urgent injunction to prevent further sharing or publication of intimate images. This can be sought in the High Court and can be granted without notifying the defendant in urgent cases (a without notice injunction).
• Damages: You can sue the person who shared the images for breach of privacy, harassment, or data protection violations — all of which may give rise to damages for distress and consequential losses.
• UK GDPR erasure: Where platforms are hosting images as data controllers, a UK GDPR erasure request may supplement platform reporting mechanisms.

Legal Aid may be available for civil remedies linked to domestic abuse situations. Charities such as the Centre for Women's Justice can provide referrals to specialist lawyers.