At the Revenge Porn Helpline, we hear every day from people whose lives have been turned upside down by the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. And since the helpline started, those who have been affected have been unable to feel confident in coming forward due to stigma around reporting to the police. Our data shows that while thousands reach out to us for help, only 4% go on to report their abuse to the police. This figure has highlighted a stark reality: there is little confidence that the system will protect them.
That is why our recent collaboration with the police is essential. We are determined to reshape the reporting process so that victims feel heard, safeguarded, and supported from the moment they come forward.
Prioritising Privacy Through Technology
One of the biggest concerns that people raise with us is the fear of having to re-expose their most private images in order to pursue justice. We understand that having to reshare images can lead to traumatisation and worry.
That’s why we are working with police partners to explore improved solutions such as utilising image hashing. This means that privacy can be better protected, and the number of people who need to view images is drastically reduced. It is a vital step in ensuring that the reporting process does not retraumatise those who are already living with distress. As well as this we aim to speed up the content removal process, working to make sure that our helpline can start reporting/removing content via takedowns and hashing in parallel to police investigations.
By combining these technical solutions with a sensitive, victim-centred approach, we aim to make reporting less daunting and more effective. We understand though that there are many reasons why people may choose not to report to the police, and we always encourage those affected by intimate image abuse to do what feels most comfortable to them. There is never any obligation to make a report to the police, you can seek support from the Revenge Porn Helpline regardless of your choice, and all contacts made to the Helpline are treated with confidentially and care.
Changing Public Attitudes
Technology alone cannot solve intimate image abuse. At its core, this is a crime fuelled by harmful behaviours and the misuse of digital platforms. For adults to feel able to confidently report to the police, we must also tackle the stigma around victim-blaming attitudes that surround this issue.
Too often, survivors have been met with questions like, “Why did you share that picture?” instead of, “Why did someone abuse your trust?” These harmful attitudes can silence victims before they ever reach the police, making them feel like it is their fault a serious crime has taken place. Changing this culture is as important as changing the reporting systems themselves.
At the Helpline, we are committed to public education that defines intimate image abuse for what it truly is: a serious sexual offence. By shifting perceptions, we can create an environment where victims are supported, perpetrators are held accountable, and society as a whole, recognises that the blame never lies with the victim.
A Collective Effort
We continue to welcome the recognition by the police that reporting procedures need to be improved. The Revenge Porn Helpline will continue to push for improvements in how cases are reported. Every change we make (from championing positive technical solutions to educating the wider public) it is about sending a clear message: intimate image abuse will not be tolerated.
If you have been affected by intimate image abuse, please remember, you are not alone. The Revenge Porn Helpline is here to listen and to support.
