Protect yourself from Sextortion
What can you do?
Cover Cameras
When you’re not using the webcam on your computer, cover it.
Avoid uploading embarrassing photos
Never store compromising photos of yourself to locations that are commonly targeted by hackers. Do you really want to expose yourself to a complete stranger on video with the risk of the video going viral?
Use common sense when online dating
Never trust an online dating profile. Be wary about who you invite or accept invitations from on social networking sites. Do not accept friendship requests from complete strangers, irrespective of ‘mutual friend’ status.
Profile photos may not be genuine
Performing a reverse image search on a search engine can find photos that have been taken from somewhere, or someone else.
Social Media Privacy
Update the privacy settings on your social networking accounts so only people you know can view them. Do not include any sensitive, private or confidential information in profiles.
What to Do If Someone Shares Your Intimate Image Without Your Consent
- Save the Evidence
- Keep screenshots, messages, URLs—don’t delete anything before reporting.
- Report It
- Call Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
- Access Support
- There are many free, confidential support services available (see next article).
👶 Under 18?
If you’re under 18, it’s illegal to create or share indecent images of yourself or others. However, police prioritise support, not punishment. Help is available through:
- Report Remove (by Childline)
- Internet Watch Foundation
❌ If You Shared Someone Else’s Images
Get legal advice immediately. You may face criminal charges, and your device may be seized. Sharing intimate images without consent is a serious offence with severe consequences.
Combating Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse
StopNCII.org is a free, victim-focused tool created to combat the spread of non-consensual intimate images (NCII). Developed by the Revenge Porn Helpline, it allows individuals to take action without uploading their images. Instead, it uses image hashing, a privacy-first method that creates a unique digital fingerprint of the image on the user's device. Only this fingerprint is shared with participating platforms to help block and remove the content.
The tool is available to adults appearing in the images who are in possession of the files. It has helped remove over 300,000 images with a 90% success rate.
The emotional and real-world impact of NCII is profound. Victims often face fear, shame, and trauma. The issue disproportionately affects women and is frequently used in coercive control.
StopNCII.org helps return power to victims, allowing them to take action privately and safely. Global organisations from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas have endorsed the initiative, stressing its global relevance.
StopNCII.org is a vital step forward in online safety. Its innovative, privacy-preserving approach empowers victims, reduces harm, and holds platforms accountable. It is an essential tool in the fight against tech-enabled abuse and image-based violence.
Based on lead scotland and StopNCII.org
The Revenge Porn Helpline
The Revenge Porn Helpline (RPH) is a UK-based service supporting adult victims of non-consensually shared intimate images (NCII). While RPH has achieved a 90% takedown rate, over 10% of NCII remains online due to legal loopholes and unresponsive, often international, websites. The continued accessibility of this content causes serious emotional, social, and professional harm to victims.
Despite recent updates to the Online Safety Act, current UK legislation does not empower Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block NCII, nor does it ensure proper redress for victims—even when perpetrators are convicted. The RPH’s campaign, #NotYoursToView, calls for urgent legal reforms to block NCII from being viewed online and ensure all victims receive the legal protection they deserve.
The campaign is engaging policymakers, with RPH CEO David Wright set to speak to the Women and Equalities Committee in Parliament. A petition is also open for NGOs, industry leaders, and the public to support.
Broader challenges include the rise of deepfake sexual content, sextortion scams, and the legal ability of perpetrators to retain victims’ images post-conviction.
RPH urges public support through sharing campaign messages and pushing for clearer legal protections.
Based on : revengepornhelpline.org.uk