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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
someone threatens to expose intimate images, messages, or sexual information to control you

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Move to a place where you can pause without the person pressuring you, and do not pay, meet them, send more material, or comply with their demands. Call 999 if you are in immediate danger; otherwise contact someone you trust and an appropriate specialist service.

Do not do these things

  • Do not send more images, sexual messages, money, passwords, or personal information.
  • Do not meet the person alone or go anywhere they have demanded.
  • Do not keep replying in the hope that you can calm them down or persuade them to stop.
  • Do not threaten them back, post about them publicly, or ask other people to confront them.
  • Do not forward intimate material to friends or relatives to explain what is happening.
  • Do not make security changes from a device the person may be monitoring unless you have checked that it is safe.

What to do now

  1. Reach a safer pause. Move towards other people, contact someone who can stay with you, or call 999 if there is immediate danger or a threat of violence.
  2. Stop engaging with the demands. Do not pay, send more material, agree to sexual contact, or arrange a meeting.
  3. If it is safe and you choose to do so, save screenshots of the threats and the account details before blocking or deleting anything.
  4. Tell one trusted person what is happening. Ask them to stay with you, remain on the phone, or help you contact support.
  5. If you are 18 or over, contact the Revenge Porn Helpline. If you are under 18, contact Childline and consider reporting to CEOP when the threat involves online sexual abuse or grooming.
  6. Report the threatening account and any posted material through the platform’s reporting tools, then block or mute the person when it is safe.
  7. If an intimate image is involved, adults can check whether StopNCII is suitable, while people under 18 can use Childline’s Report Remove service.
  8. If the person may have access to your accounts or devices, use a safer device and consult specialist tech-safety guidance before changing passwords, recovery details, location settings, or shared accounts.
  9. You can choose to report the threat to the police online, by calling 101, or at a police station. A support service can help you consider this without pressuring you.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether to take legal action, tell everyone affected, contact an employer, respond publicly, or end a relationship. You also do not need to explain or defend why the images, messages, or information exist.

Important reassurance

The person making the threat is responsible for using private material or information to control you. Having shared something privately does not make the threat your fault, and specialist services are available without requiring you to make an immediate decision about reporting.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety, support, account protection, content reporting, and initial reporting options only. Later decisions may require help from a specialist support service, the police, or a legal adviser.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, safeguarding, or other professional advice. The relevant law, police process, and available services may differ across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and depend on the circumstances.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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