The theme for this year's 16 Days of Activism is End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls, calling for global action to stop this growing issue. Every day, the Revenge Porn Helpline sees the real impact of digital violence in the UK and supports adults affected by intimate image abuse.
This abuse disproportionately affects women, and through tireless work, the Helpline team continues to guide and advocate for those in need. Calls to the service are consistently rising, and more must be done to ensure victims receive the robust protection they deserve.
For this year's 16 Days of Activism, the Helpline is calling for stronger measures to protect those affected. Their focus is on the need for an implemented and strengthened VAWG strategy from the UK Government.
As with previous calls to action, the service is also continuing to advocate for confirmed non-consensual intimate images to be treated in the same way as Child Sexual Abuse material. Baroness Owen’s recent amendments towards the Crime and Policing Bill will improve protections for victims and ensure NCII is treated with the seriousness it deserves. Urgent legal reform and a clear commitment to victims are needed in the UK.
Sophie Mortimer, Revenge Porn Helpline Manager at SWGfL, has said:
"Intimate image abuse has a devastating impact on everyone affected, particularly women. For this year’s 16 Days of Activism, we are calling for a UK VAWG strategy that prioritises legal reform and delivers a robust commitment to protecting victims of intimate image abuse. Calls to the Revenge Porn Helpline remain consistently high, and as the only dedicated service in the UK, we have a responsibility to advocate for those who need us.
The continuing absence of a VAWG strategy is hugely disappointing and offers little reassurance to victims. We urgently need clarity on the government’s commitment to eradicating VAWG and addressing intimate image abuse. More action is needed, including ensuring non-consensual intimate images are treated with the same seriousness as Child Sexual Abuse Material."
To learn more about the latest calls from the Revenge Porn Helpline and why vital change is needed, please follow the campaign across social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Throughout the campaign, guidance will also be provided to support those affected by synthetic sexual content and sextortion, two issues that are increasingly prevalent across the Helpline.
If you have been affected by intimate image abuse, please remember that you are not alone. For more information on how to contact the Revenge Porn Helpline, please visit their website.
