Intimate content
Image abuse and sextortion
When someone publishes, shares or threatens to publish an intimate photo of you in order to get something from you — that is sextortion, one of the most serious forms of digital violence.
How it usually happens
The most common scenario is not an attack by a stranger: a photo was sent to someone who was trusted, and was then used against the sender. The other common scenario is a profile posing as a peer, building a close relationship and then asking for photos.
- Threatening to send the photo to the family or the class
- Demands for money, more photos or a meeting
- Sharing intimate photos in groups without consent
- Doctored (“deepfake”) photos and videos
It is not your fault
Shame and fear are exactly what the perpetrator is counting on. The person who sent the photo has committed no offence — the offender is the one making threats and sharing it. Silence buys them time; a report takes it away.
Never pay, and never send more
Paying, or sending another photo, never stops the extortion — it only keeps it going. Break off contact, keep the evidence and report it.
What you can do now
- Break off contact, but do not delete the conversation.
- Do not pay and do not send new photos.
- Take a screenshot of the profile, the messages and the demands.
- Tell an adult — and call the police on 122.
- Report the content to the platform so it is taken down urgently.
Emergency numbers
Police 122
Emergency services 112
Child helpline 116 111
