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Support if someone shares your intimate picture without permission
You can tell the police if someone shares or threatens to share an intimate image of you without your consent.
This is sometimes called 'revenge porn' or 'the non-consensual sharing of intimate images'.
Intimate images can be shared in a number of ways, for example by text, social media or showing a physical or digital copy to another person.
What are intimate images?
Intimate images can be pictures or videos of you doing something normally done in private. You may have agreed to the pictures being taken, but you didn't agree to them being shared with others.
An intimate image could show:
- you taking part in a sexual act
- your genitals, buttocks or breasts exposed in a private place (for example, at home)
- you wearing only your underwear in a private place (for example, at home)
Report it to the police
The police recognise revenge porn as a serious form of abuse. Report someone sharing or threatening to share an intimate image without consent by calling 101 or in an emergency phone 999.
If you don't want to talk to the police
If you're unsure about talking to the police, there are lots of people you can trust who can help you work out what to do:
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Find your local Women's Aid contact – Scottish Women's Aid
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If you're under 19 and you're worried about sexting, pictures or a video of you – ChildLine
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Based in England, a new revenge porn helpline has been set up by the UK Government – Revenge Porn Helpline
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Find out what help's available if you're a man and you've been abused or harassed in or after a relationship – Abused Men In Scotland
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Get free and confidential emotional and practical assistance and information about the criminal justice system – Victim Support Scotland
Read more about domestic abuse, stalking or online crime.
Report abuse online
You can report non-consensually shared intimate images online if it happens on a social network. This can help get an image removed. Find out how to report abuse on:
Your rights
As a victim of crime, you have rights. The Victims' Code for Scotland sets out these rights and who to contact for help and advice.
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