What is revenge porn and what are its effects?
Revenge porn is the act of distributing intimate images of a person without their consent. These images can be shared in different ways, including being posted online, distributed in a physical format, sent by email or via messaging apps. Abusers often link to victims' social media or contact details and encourage others to send abuse as well.
Revenge porn has much wider, more serious implications than simply being embarrassing. The impact on victims can be devastating; they might lose their job or their relationship may break down. Usually this behaviour is part of a wider case of ongoing harassment, particularly if the perpetrator is an ex-partner. Victims are often very vulnerable and scared.
Who is at risk of revenge porn?
The majority of the people we deal with through our Revenge Porn Helpline are aged 18 to 40, although we have also supported people much older than this. For anyone under the age of 18, we don't use the term revenge porn, it is referred to as sexting instead. Revenge porn can affect anyone from any demographic so there is certainly not a particular group that is more at risk than another.
How is an issue dealt with?
When we receive details of an incident, whether via email or a phone call, it is usually because a victim wants someone to talk to about what has happened. Of course every case is different, but the general process is to first, help the victim to get the image or video removed, if it has been shared online. We work very closely with social networking sites such as Facebook to help make this possible. We offer advice about the law and where they stand in terms of their rights and also offer access to free legal advice for victims. Finally, victims should be signposted towards support organisations, if necessary.
It is important to aim messages at the perpetrators of revenge porn, as this is where the problem lies, not with the victims. Whether dealing with teenagers or adults, we educate them that it is wrong to share someone's intimate pictures without their consent and that there are serious consequences. Perpetrators can now face up to two years in prison if found guilty of committing revenge porn.
One of the key messages we enforce is about trust. If someone trusts you enough to share an intimate image with you, it is not acceptable to share this with anyone else and if you do, you will face penalties.
How does revenge porn affect under-18s?
We deal with incidents involving minors differently. It is illegal to produce, download or distribute images of anyone under 18 in the UK, and it is unlawful for internet providers to host this content. The Professionals Online Safety Helpline can advise schools and other children's settings on how to manage incidents and when to involve the police. While it is illegal to distribute these images, police guidance states that it is not appropriate to take action against young people for sharing images unless there are additional factors such as coercion or exploitation. The Internet Watch Foundation (www.iwf.org.uk) can assist in the reporting and removal of indecent images of minors.
What help and resources are available?
So You Got Naked Online: South West Grid for Learning's (SWGfL's) resource that offers children, young people and parents advice and support. http://swgfl.org.uk/products-services/esafety/resources/So-You-Got-Naked-Online
Professionals Online Safety Helpline: The helpline provides support with all aspects of digital and online issues. http://swgfl.org.uk/about/UK-Safer-Internet-Centre/Professionals-Online-Safety-Helpline
Revenge Porn Helpline: A free, confidential advice and support service. http://revengepornhelpline.org.uk/
Top tips
- People should keep an eye on their social media footprint
- Victims should not ignore it
- Get help. Victims probably can't deal with this on their own
- Ensure victims talk to someone they trust for emotional support
- They should go to the police; it is a crime and it should be reported and dealt with accordingly
Laura Higgins is online safety operations manager at SWGfL and founder of the Revenge Porn Helpline
