The Revenge Porn Helpline has been operated by SWGfL since 2015, providing immeasurable support to adults across the UK who have been affected by intimate image abuse. The Helpline (delivered by the UK Safer Internet Centre, who are funded by Nominet) provides information and support, advising on the different laws that may apply, reporting images directly to platforms, and signposting to further support services.
As in previous years, the Revenge Porn Helpline has released research and data exploring reported forms of intimate image abuse as well as guidance and support available. The report also explores how the Helpline team offer successful practical support to adults over the age of 18, in the UK, who are experiencing intimate image abuse.
Amongst in-depth findings, their 2022 report explores the following:
Number of Cases
In 2022, the Helpline has supported over 9,000 cases which were received collectively through direct contact to the Helpline as well as through interactions with the online chatbot Reiya
Most reported issue to the Helpline
Sextortion or webcam blackmail continues to be the most reported issue to the Helpline with 990 cases
Revenge Porn Helpline Chatbot
Reiya, the Revenge Porn Helpline’s chatbot, was successfully launched supporting thousands of queries
Increase in phone calls
Phone calls to the Helpline increased more than three times between 2021 and 2022
Re-distribution of intimate content
As intimate content can be re-distributed, the Revenge Porn Helpline team are continuing to support cases from 2020
StopNCII.org
Tools such as StopNCII.org are highlighted as innovative ways to prevent the sharing of intimate content
The Online Safety Bill
The Online Safety Bill aims to hold platforms providing web services more accountable for the content they allow