Online Sexual Harassment 

Summary

Online sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual behaviour that happens through digital platforms or technology. It can involve sexual messages, images, videos, comments, requests or other digital content, and can happen through social media, messaging apps, dating apps, gaming platforms, video calls or file-sharing services. It can be carried out by a stranger, someone you know, a partner or ex-partner.

Online sexual harassment can take many different forms, and technology is constantly creating new ways for people to experience sexual abuse. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to create convincing fake sexual images and videos of people who have never consented to having sexual content made of them. Although these experiences happen online, the impact can be very real and can affect someone’s emotional wellbeing, relationships, education, work and sense of safety.

It is also important to remember that being online does not remove someone’s right to privacy, dignity or consent. You are allowed to decide what happens to images of you and how other people communicate with you. If someone sends, creates or shares sexual content involving you without your consent, responsibility lies with the person who made that choice — not with you.

Unwanted Sexual Images

Unwanted sexual images, sometimes called cyberflashing, involve someone sending you an unwanted sexual image or video. This might include someone sending an unsolicited image of their genitals, sometimes referred to as a “dick pic”. These images can be sent through social media, text messages, dating apps, AirDrop, WhatsApp, gaming platforms or during a video call.

The person sending the image could be a complete stranger or someone you know. They may deliberately send the image to shock, embarrass, frighten or sexually harass you. Sometimes the person may try to make it seem funny or harmless, but receiving sexual content that you did not ask for can still feel invasive and upsetting.

You do not owe the person a response. You don’t have to explain why you don’t want to receive sexual content, send anything back or continue talking to them. You can block the person, report the account and keep evidence of what happened if you feel able to do so.

Intimate Image Abuse

Intimate image abuse involves someone sharing, or threatening to share, intimate or sexual images or videos of you without your consent. You might hear this described as “revenge porn”, although intimate image abuse is a broader term because the motivation isn’t always revenge.

Someone might threaten to send an image to your friends, family, school, university or workplace, or post it publicly online. They may use the threat to manipulate, control or coerce you. For example, someone might threaten to share an image if you refuse to send them more photographs, end a relationship or don’t do what they want.

The threat itself can cause significant distress, even if the image is never actually shared. You might feel frightened about who could see it, ashamed about something that was originally private or worried about what other people might think. You are not responsible for someone else’s decision to share or threaten to share your image. It is also important to remember that consenting to take or send an intimate photograph does not mean consenting for that photograph to be shared. Trusting someone with an image does not give them permission to distribute it.

Deepfake Pornography

Deepfakes are digitally altered images, videos or audio that use technology to make it appear as though someone is doing or saying something they have never actually done or said. AI can be used to create sexually explicit images or videos using someone’s face or existing photographs.

This means someone can create fake sexual content of you without you ever having taken or shared a sexual photograph yourself. They might use a normal photograph taken from social media and manipulate it to make it appear sexual. The content may look convincing, even though it is completely fabricated. The image or video being fake does not mean the impact is fake. Someone may feel humiliated, violated, frightened or powerless when they discover that sexual content depicting them has been created or shared. They may worry that other people will believe it is real or that it could affect their friendships, relationships, education or employment.

AI tools are also becoming increasingly accessible, meaning that creating this type of content no longer necessarily requires advanced technical skills. Once content has been shared online, it can be downloaded, copied, edited and uploaded somewhere else, making complete removal extremely difficult.

Why can online sexual harassment be hard to deal with?

One of the biggest difficulties with online sexual harassment is that the content can spread very quickly and can be difficult to control once it has been shared. An image might be sent to one person but then copied and shared with many others. It can also appear on different websites, accounts or platforms, sometimes without the person affected knowing where it has gone.

The person responsible may also be anonymous or difficult to identify. They may use fake accounts, live in another country or use technology designed to hide their identity. This can make it difficult for individuals and authorities to identify the person responsible or gather evidence.

The responsibility for dealing with the content can also unfairly fall on the person experiencing the abuse. They may have to find copies of the content, report accounts, contact websites and repeatedly explain what has happened. This can be exhausting and can feel like having to relive the experience again and again.

There can also be barriers to reporting. Someone may worry that they won’t be believed, will be blamed, or will have to show people the sexual content. They may feel embarrassed about how the original image was created or shared, even when they did nothing wrong. These fears can make people reluctant to ask for help.

Impact of Online Sexual Harassment

Online sexual harassment can have a significant impact on someone’s emotional wellbeing, even when the behaviour has happened entirely online. Knowing that an image exists somewhere on the internet, or worrying about who may have seen it, can create an ongoing sense of fear and uncertainty.

Someone might experience:

  • Feeling exploited or coerced.
  • Feeling humiliated, ashamed or judged.
  • Feeling sexualised or objectified.
  • Feeling threatened, frightened or unsafe.
  • Feeling that their privacy or dignity has been violated.
  • Feeling guilty or blaming themselves for what happened.
  • Worrying about who has seen the content.
  • Constantly checking social media or searching for copies of the content.
  • Feeling anxious about whether the content will appear again.
  • Worrying about the impact on friendships, relationships, education or employment.
  • Feeling powerless or as though they have lost control over their own image.
  • Withdrawing from social media or avoiding people and situations.
  • Experiencing low mood, anxiety, shame or difficulties trusting other people.

For some people, the distress can be long-lasting, particularly if the content continues to be shared or the person feels unable to regain control over what has happened.

Consent and responsibility

A really important part of understanding online sexual harassment is consent. Consent means freely choosing to take part in something and being able to change your mind. Consent to take an intimate photograph is not consent for someone else to share it. Consent to send something privately is not consent for it to be posted publicly.

Similarly, someone having previously agreed to sexual activity, being in a relationship with someone or having shared intimate photographs in the past does not give another person permission to distribute their images. The responsibility always sits with the person who chose to send, create, share or threaten to share sexual content without consent. The person experiencing the abuse is not to blame.

Online sexual harassment and the wider picture

Although the internet and AI are technologies that can be used for both positive and negative purposes, the way they are misused can reflect wider inequalities and discrimination within society. Online sexual harassment does not affect everyone equally, and some groups may be more likely to be targeted, including:

  • Girls and women
  • LGBTQ+ people
  • People of colour
  • Children and young people
  • People in public-facing roles

This means that sexism, homophobia, racism and misogyny can all play a role in who is targeted and how harassment is experienced. People may also experience multiple forms of discrimination at the same time, which can increase the impact of online abuse. Any attempts to prevent and respond to online sexual harassment therefore need to consider these wider inequalities rather than treating every experience as exactly the same.

People affected by online sexual harassment deserve to feel safe, believed and protected. This includes having laws and systems that keep pace with developments in technology and hold people accountable when technology is deliberately used to cause harm. Greater accountability is also needed from companies developing and operating social media platforms and AI technologies, including designing systems with safety and prevention in mind.

There is also a need for better training for professionals and organisations responding to online sexual harassment, so that responses are trauma-informed, respectful and focused on the needs of the person affected. Most importantly, people who have experienced online sexual harassment should have their experiences listened to and taken seriously. Their voices can help shape better prevention, support, technology and legal protections in the future.

How to help myself

If you experience online sexual harassment, your first priority is your safety and wellbeing. You do not have to respond to the person, explain yourself or try to convince them to stop. If you feel able to, block the person and report their account or the content through the platform. If the person is threatening or attempting to blackmail you, don’t give in to their demands – sending more images, money or information does not guarantee that they will stop.

Keep evidence if you can do so safely. Screenshots, usernames, messages, dates, links and other information can be useful when reporting what has happened. Try not to repeatedly search for or look at the content, as this can become distressing. If you’re under 18, avoid downloading, saving or forwarding sexual images of yourself or another young person. Instead, tell a trusted adult or professional who can help you report what has happened safely.

You might feel ashamed, embarrassed, angry, frightened or like what happened was somehow your fault. These feelings are understandable, but responsibility lies with the person who chose to harass, threaten, create or share the content. Even if you originally took or sent an intimate photograph yourself, that does not mean you consented to someone else sharing it.

Try to tell someone you trust rather than dealing with it alone. This could be a parent or carer, friend, teacher, safeguarding lead, youth worker or another trusted adult. You can decide how much you want to tell them. If speaking feels difficult, you could show them the messages or write down what happened instead.

If the experience is affecting your mental health, give yourself permission to step away from social media and take a break from your phone. Spend time with people who make you feel safe and do things that help you feel grounded. You don’t have to keep checking whether the content has been shared or removed — let someone else help with this where possible.

If someone is threatening, blackmailing, stalking or repeatedly contacting you, take this seriously and seek support. You can report the behaviour to the platform and, depending on what has happened, to the police. If you are under 18, tell a trusted adult as soon as possible so they can help you stay safe and access appropriate support.

Most importantly, remember that you are not responsible for someone else’s behaviour. You are allowed to ask for help even if you’re worried that people will judge you or blame you.

If you have experienced online sexual harassment in any form, there are things you can do to protect yourself and get support:

  • Keep evidence – Take screenshots of messages, posts, profiles and usernames before blocking or reporting the person.
  • Don’t engage further – You do not need to respond, explain yourself or negotiate with the person. If they are threatening or blackmailing you, don’t give in to their demands.
  • Report the behaviour – Report the account, messages or content directly to the platform and include as much information as possible.
  • Report harmful content – In the UK, you can also report online abuse through the Report Harmful Content platform.
  • Protect your accounts – Consider making your social media profiles private, limiting who can contact you and turning on two-factor authentication.
  • Tell someone you trust – Speak to a friend, parent/carer, teacher, safeguarding lead or professional organisation. You don’t have to deal with this alone.
  • Remember that it isn’t your fault – The responsibility lies with the person who chose to harass, threaten, create or share the content. This remains true even if you originally took or sent an intimate image.
  • Get urgent help if you feel unsafe – If someone is threatening you, blackmailing you, stalking you or otherwise making you feel unsafe, consider reporting this to the police or contacting an appropriate support service.

How to help a loved one

If someone you care about has experienced online sexual harassment, listen to them without judgement and let them know you believe them. They may feel embarrassed, ashamed, frightened or worried that they will get into trouble. Remind them that the responsibility lies with the person who chose to send, create, share or threaten to share the content. Avoid asking questions that could sound blaming, such as “Why did you send the picture?” or “Why didn’t you block them?”

Help them take practical steps to stay safe. You can support them to save evidence, block the person, report the account or content and make their social media accounts more private. If they are being threatened or blackmailed, help them avoid responding or giving in to demands. You could sit with them while they make a report or help them organise screenshots and other information if this feels overwhelming.

Try to give them control over what happens next. Being sexually harassed or having intimate content shared can leave someone feeling like they have lost control over their privacy and their own image. Ask what they would like help with rather than immediately taking over. They may not be ready to report what has happened, and you can still support them while helping them understand their options.

Be mindful of their emotional wellbeing. They may want to talk about what happened, or they may need some time away from it. Encourage them to take breaks from social media, spend time with people they trust and continue doing things that help them feel safe and grounded. Keep checking in, as the emotional impact may become more noticeable later.

If the person is under 18, it is particularly important to involve a trusted adult or appropriate professional who can help keep them safe. Avoid forwarding or sharing sexual images, even if you are trying to show someone what happened. If you’re unsure what to do with evidence, seek advice from a safeguarding professional or relevant support service.

If someone is being threatened, blackmailed, stalked or repeatedly contacted, help them access appropriate support. Depending on the circumstances, this could include reporting to the platform, contacting the police or using a specialist support service. If they are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

Finally, don’t make their experience the only thing you talk about. Keep spending time together, doing normal things and reminding them that what happened does not define them. Recovery from an experience like this can take time, and having someone consistently in their corner can make a huge difference.

Therapy

There isn’t one specific therapy for online sexual harassment. Support will usually focus on helping someone recover from the emotional impact of what happened, feel safe again and develop ways of coping with any ongoing distress.

  • Trauma-focused CBT – Can help someone process what happened, understand how it has affected their thoughts and feelings, and develop strategies for managing anxiety, fear and distress.
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) – Can help people process distressing or traumatic experiences, particularly when memories of what happened continue to feel intrusive or overwhelming.
  • CBT – Can help with unhelpful thoughts that may develop after harassment, such as “It was my fault”, “Everyone has seen it” or “I’m not safe online anymore”. It can also support anxiety, low mood and avoidance.
  • Counselling – Provides a safe space to talk through what happened, explore difficult emotions and rebuild confidence without judgement or pressure.
  • Support for anxiety or low mood – If the experience has contributed to ongoing anxiety, depression, panic or difficulties with everyday life, therapy can focus on these difficulties alongside the experience of harassment.
  • Trauma-informed support – Professionals should work at the person’s pace, prioritise safety and avoid blaming or pressuring them to talk about things before they are ready.
  • Specialist sexual violence or abuse support – Specialist services can provide emotional support, advocacy and help navigating reporting or legal processes. This can be useful even if the person doesn’t want to report what happened to the police.

Helplines

Childline
Childline is a free service for young people to talk to a counsellor about anything. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Childline is available to anybody who is 18 years old or younger.

Phone: 0800 1111
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
You can also find helpful resources, speak to a counsellor online or send a message on their site.
Website: www.childline.org.uk

For adults concerned about a child, the NSPCC can be contacted 

NSPCC

NSPCC is a children’s charity that works to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect. They provide support and advice for adults about child abuse, neglect, child safety, online safety and children’s mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Phone: 0808 800 5000
Opening times: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Email opening times: 11 am–4 pm, 7 days a week
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Report Remove

Report Remove is a free service from Childline and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) that helps under-18s report and remove nude or sexual images and videos of themselves that have been shared online, including AI-generated images.

Phone: 0800 1111 (Childline)
Opening times: Childline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: www.childline.org.uk/report-remove

Revenge Porn Helpline

The Revenge Porn Helpline is a service providing free, confidential and non-judgemental support for adults affected by intimate image abuse, including images shared or threatened to be shared without consent, sextortion, webcam blackmail, voyeurism and upskirting. (revengepornhelpline.org.uk)

Phone: 0345 6000 459
Opening times: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Website: www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Online chatbot: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Report Harmful Content

Report Harmful Content is a service providing information and support for people experiencing harmful content or abuse online. It covers issues such as cyberbullying, online harassment, hate speech, threats, image-based abuse and other harmful online content.

Website: reportharmfulcontent.com
Report: Online reporting service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is a charity working to remove child sexual abuse material from the internet. They provide a service for reporting images or videos showing child sexual abuse and work with internet companies to have illegal content removed.

Website: www.iwf.org.uk
Report: Online reporting form available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

CEOP

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) is a service from the National Crime Agency that helps protect children and young people from sexual abuse and exploitation online. They provide information and advice about online sexual abuse, grooming, sexual exploitation and staying safe online.

Website: www.ceop.police.uk
Report: Online reporting form available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Rape Crisis England & Wales

Rape Crisis England & Wales is a charity providing free, specialist support for people affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence. They provide emotional support, counselling, advocacy and information for victims and survivors.

Phone: 0808 500 2222
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Online chat: Available 24 hours a day
Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Age: 16+ for the national Support Line

The Cyber Helpline

The Cyber Helpline is a charity providing free, confidential support for people experiencing cybercrime and online harm. They cover issues including online harassment, hacking, scams, account security, identity theft, image-based abuse and other online safety concerns.

Phone: 0800 324 0607
Opening times: 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Website: www.thecyberhelpline.com

Samaritans

Samaritans is a charity providing emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope or needs someone to talk to. They are there for people experiencing all sorts of difficulties, including stress, anxiety, loneliness, relationship or family problems, bereavement, feeling overwhelmed and concerns about mental health or suicide.

Phone: 116 123
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: www.samaritans.org

Victim Support

Victim Support is an independent charity providing free, confidential support for people affected by crime and traumatic incidents. They support people affected by issues including bullying, abuse, sexual violence, domestic abuse, hate crime and other crimes.

Phone: 0808 1689 111
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Live chat: Available 24 hours a day
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line

The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is a free, confidential service providing emotional support for people aged 16 and over affected by rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or other forms of sexual violence.

Phone: 0808 500 2222
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Online chat: Available 24 hours a day
Website: www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk

Kooth

Kooth is a free online mental health and wellbeing service for young people. It offers a safe and confidential space where young people can access information, read helpful resources, take part in online discussions and receive support from trained professionals. Kooth can help with all sorts of issues that may affect young people’s mental health and wellbeing, including stress, anxiety, relationships, bullying, family difficulties, low mood and other challenges they may be experiencing.

Website: www.kooth.com
Online support: Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Live chat with a practitioner: 12 pm–10 pm Monday to Friday; 6 pm–10 pm Saturday and Sunday