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us Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
your intimate photos or videos are being shared online or in a group chat without consent

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

Short answer

Move to a private, safer pause, mute message previews if needed, and report the content through the platform’s process for intimate images shared without consent. Ask a trusted person or specialist advocate to help if handling the reports alone feels overwhelming.

Do not do these things

  • Do not rush to pay, bargain, retaliate, or send more photos or videos.
  • Do not forward the material to prove that it exists.
  • Do not publicly confront the person sharing it if that could draw more attention or put you at risk.
  • Do not repeatedly search for copies if doing so is overwhelming.
  • Do not make irreversible changes to your accounts while panicked; muting notifications can create space.
  • Do not blame yourself for taking or privately sharing an image. That was not consent for further distribution.

What to do now

  1. Get to the safest available pause. If someone is threatening immediate physical harm, is coming to your location, or you are otherwise in immediate danger, call 911 or move near people you trust.

  2. If you may want a record, save the relevant URL, account name, date, report confirmation, and a few screenshots without forwarding the material or downloading additional copies.

  3. Use the app or website’s reporting tool for intimate content shared without consent. Where available, report the post or message, the sender’s account, and the group; if there is a trusted group administrator, ask them to remove the content without reposting it.

  4. Look for the platform’s nonconsensual intimate-image removal request process. If a covered platform has no working request process or does not remove the reported material and known identical copies within 48 hours of a valid request, report the platform through the Federal Trade Commission’s TAKE IT DOWN reporting site.

  5. If you are currently 18 or older, were 18 or older when the material was created, and already have the file on your device, StopNCII.org can create a digital fingerprint on your device for participating platforms to use when detecting matching copies.

  6. If the material was created when you were under 18, use NCMEC’s Take It Down service instead, and do not download it or ask anyone to resend it. You can also contact NCMEC’s CyberTipline for support with online child sexual exploitation.

  7. Contact the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative Safety Center or RAINN for confidential support and help choosing your next immediate step.

  8. If you suspect an account was accessed without permission, change its password from a safer device, sign out other sessions, turn on two-factor authentication, and check that the recovery email address and phone number are still yours.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether to contact police, start legal action, confront the sender, tell your employer or school, or explain the situation to everyone you know. You also do not need to locate every possible copy or delete every account today. Focus first on safety, platform reports, account security if needed, and one source of support.

Important reassurance

This is not your fault. Agreeing to create or privately send an intimate photo or video does not mean agreeing to have it shared with other people. Difficulty getting content removed does not make the harm less serious or make you responsible for it.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety, reporting, removal, account-security, and support steps only. Later decisions about law enforcement, civil claims, school or workplace procedures, or ongoing safety planning may require help from a specialist advocate or attorney.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, therapeutic, cybersecurity, or other professional advice. Laws, platform procedures, and available services can vary, and a qualified professional can help you understand options for your 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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