10 Years of the Revenge Porn Helpline: A Call for Stronger Protections

At the UK Safer Internet Centre, we have been at the forefront of tackling online harms, and one of the most pressing issues we continue to see is intimate image abuse. Over the past decade, our partners at SWGfL who operate the Revenge Porn Helpline have seen an alarming rise in cases, reflecting a growing challenge that needs urgent attention. While progress has been made in raising awareness and strengthening legislation, it is clear that there is still much more to be done to ensure meaningful protection for victims.

Intimate image abuse is now recognised as one of the most significant online harms, affecting thousands of individuals each year. Since the launch of the Revenge Porn Helpline, over 60,000 individual cases have been handled, with more than 400,000 intimate images reported. Despite legislative advancements, reports continue to rise at an average of 57% per year. This stark increase is not just a statistic—it represents real people experiencing profound distress and harm.

Stories like Alice’s illustrate the devastating impact of this form of abuse. Betrayed by someone she trusted, Alice found herself the target of an unimaginable violation. With the support of the Revenge Porn Helpline, thousands of images were removed, yet her experience highlights a critical issue: the removal of NCII must be a priority alongside prosecution. Without effective enforcement, victims remain at risk of further harm.

While legislation to combat intimate image abuse has strengthened over the years, it remains insufficient in several key areas. The current legal definitions fail to account for cultural sensitivities and evolving perpetrator tactics.

Additionally, enforcement remains inconsistent. Many victims report that the police are unable or unwilling to act, often due to a lack of training and awareness. Despite legal provisions allowing for prosecution, conviction rates remain low. Police officers and legal professionals must receive mandatory training on how to respond effectively to intimate image abuse cases, ensuring that victims receive the support that they deserve.

Another critical gap lies in content removal. Even if a perpetrator is convicted, the intimate images often remain online, continuing to cause harm. Worse still, once a convicted offender serves their sentence, they may regain access to the same images on the device that were used in their crime. The law must prioritise not only prosecution but also the swift and permanent removal of all non-consensual intimate images.

To truly address intimate image abuse, we must move beyond promises and enact meaningful change. This includes:

– Criminalising confirmed NCII (non-consensual intimate images) to facilitate faster removal and blocking of harmful content.
– Expanding the legal definitions of intimate image abuse to provide protection for all victims, including those affected by cultural and technological nuances.
– Ending delays in enforcement to ensure that legislative changes translate into real-world impact.
– Mandatory training for law enforcement so that victims are met with understanding and action.
– Sustained investment in victim support services such as the Revenge Porn Helpline, ensuring long-term assistance for those affected.

As we mark 10 years of supporting victims of intimate image abuse, we recognise how far we have come—but we also acknowledge how much further we must go. This issue is not disappearing; in fact, emerging threats like AI-generated content are set to make it even more complex. If we are to truly combat this form of abuse, we need a coordinated effort from policymakers, law enforcement, technology platforms, and support services.