Revenge Porn Helpline Releases 2022 Annual Report
The Revenge Porn Helpline, operated by our partners at SWGfL as part of their work in the UK Safer Internet Centre, have released their latest report revealing how the Helpline has been used to support those impacted by intimate image abuse throughout 2022.
Data and Trends for 2022
Since establishment in 2015, the Helpline has reported over 320,000 pieces of intimate content, and actioned a 90% successful take-down rate.
The Revenge Porn Helpline has documented how they want to address the remaining 10% of content that has not been removed. The Helpline plans to develop an effective process that will bring legal change ensuring all intimate image content can be removed, giving those affected by intimate image abuse the response they deserve.
In 2022, the Helpline supported over 9,000 cases across multiple contact methods, with the report highlighting that three times as many people contacted the Helpline by phone when compared to 2021 (jumping from 276 to 923 calls). Alongside this, last year’s introduction of Reiya, an online chatbot, enabled thousands of users to access help and advice outside of the Helpline’s usual opening hours.
The research also shows that sextortion (or webcam blackmail) continued to be the most common issue reported to the Helpline, accounting for 990 reports, after seeing a rise in cases during 2021. Revenge Porn Helpline have raised awareness about the impact of Sextortion through their recent #cutoffthecatfish campaign.
Sophie Mortimer, Manager for the Revenge Porn Helpline at SWGfL, said:
”2022 was another significant year for the Revenge Porn Helpline, with the Report showing increased engagement with the service and an increasingly high profile for intimate image abuse. I’m enormously proud of the amazing team that supports thousands of adults every year, giving advice and support and working hard to remove private content that has been shared online without consent.
As highlighted by our research, the upcoming Online Safety Bill will affect everyone in the UK who uses online spaces, and we anticipate that it will increase protection for people affected by the sharing of intimate images without consent. As we have explored, it is clear that there is more to do, in 2023 and beyond. These forms of abuse continue to evolve and we need to be quick to respond, ensuring that, for those affected, there is holistic support available and meaningful redress with the removal of online content.”
You can download and read the full report here.
If you have been affected by any form of intimate image abuse, you can contact the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0345 6000 459 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm), or send them an email via help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk.Â
For more information, take a look at their website