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Breaking the Silence: Tackling online abuse against women
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by Kate Worthington
Since 2015 the Revenge Porn Helpline has removed more than 412,000 intimate images shared non-consensually online. The Helpline is operated by six female practitioners who are working endlessly to create safer digital spaces. As part of the 16 days of Action against online misogyny, Senior Revenge Porn Helpline Practitioner, Kate Worthington explains how the Helpline is taking action to break the cycle of harmful online content. Here she outlines the support that is provided to victims-survivors of intimate image abuse, including stories from minority women who have experienced this form of abuse.
This year’s 16 Days of Action is focusing
on a growing issue that affects countless women every day: online abuse. While
digital spaces were created to connect and empower us, they have increasingly
become places where harassment, intimidation, and exploitation thrive. For
women, the impact of online abuse can be particularly severe, often compounded
by cultural stigma, fear of judgment, and community pressures.
One form of online abuse is intimate image
abuse, which refers to the non-consensual sharing, taking or threat of sharing
intimate images or videos. Like many
forms of online abuse, it’s not an isolated issue and can be part of a wider
pattern of behaviours such as harassment and stalking, domestic abuse or sexual
abuse. For many women, especially those from faith-based or minority
communities, the consequences go beyond emotional distress, they can lead to
isolation, withdrawal from education or work, and even family breakdown. It’s
important to recognise that this is a form of gender-based violence that
demands action.
The current intimate image abuse legislation in England and Wales criminalises the sharing, taking or threatening to share an intimate image without consent. The definition of intimacy is limited to only include images displaying nudity, semi-nudity or a sexual act. It is widely acknowledged that this does not include all perceptions of intimacy, and what may be considered intimate within some communities. In some communities, sharing an image of a woman without a headscarf or showing physical contact with someone of the opposite gender can lead to severe consequences. Whilst this content may not necessarily fall under this legislation, it is important to note that the harm that has occurred, may fall under different offences and those experiencing this, should always reach out for support. These cases require culturally sensitive handling, and we work closely with partners like Muslim Women’s Network Helpline (MWN Helpline) to provide tailored support.
The rise of AI-generated content has added another layer of complexity to forms of intimate image abuse. Synthetic sexual content, or ‘deepfakes’, are fake images or videos created using artificial intelligence, are increasingly being used to humiliate, blackmail, or silence women. Even though the content isn’t necessarily “real,” the harm it causes is very real.
The Revenge Porn Helpline, operated by SWGfL, is the UK’s dedicated service for adults experiencing intimate image abuse. The Helpline provides advice and guidance, explaining UK laws and advise on reporting to the police; and assist with the reporting of non-consensually shared intimate content for removal. Our takedown success rate is over 90%, with more than 412,000 images removed since 2015.
One of the most effective tools available to combat the non-consensual sharing of intimate images is StopNCII.org, a global initiative operated by SWGfL designed to prevent the spread of intimate images across partnered platforms. The process is secure and anonymous: instead of uploading the actual image, adults upload a digital fingerprint (known as a hash) of the image. The participating platforms then use this hash to block the image from being shared or re-uploaded.
Report Harmful Content can also support with helping to navigate how to report harmful content online by providing up to date information on community standards and direct links to the correct reporting facilities across multiple platforms. This may include forms of online harassment, privacy violations or online bullying.
Real stories highlight the importance of these services. Aisha (name changed) contacted the Revenge Porn Helpline after an ex-partner threatened to share her intimate photos. Fear of shame and family backlash left her feeling trapped, but she was guided to StopNCII.org and the Revenge Porn Helpline. Aisha received expert advice, the images were hashed and blocked from major platforms. Aisha later said, “I felt like I had control again. I wasn’t alone.”
Similarly, Sara (name changed) faced relentless trolling after speaking out on social media, including anonymous hate messages targeting her faith. Sara used the Report Harmful Content service to find out how to report the content, and the content was removed from the platform. Sara shared, “They understood my fears, not just as a woman, but as a Muslim woman.” These stories show why culturally competent support matters, because for many victims, the fear isn’t just about the abuse, it’s about community perception and safety.
Revenge Porn Helpline provides advice and guidance on reporting to the police and assists with removal of non-consensually shared intimate content. Takedown success rate is over 90%.
Collaboration with MWN Helpline is central to ensuring all victim-survivors of intimate image abuse, and other forms of online harm are fully supported. Whether you are facing threats, harassment, or intimate image abuse, help is available, and you do not have to face this alone.
During these 16 Days of Action, let’s commit to breaking the cycle of harm and creating safer digital spaces for women everywhere. Online abuse is not inevitable; together, we can stop it.
*To find out more about Revenge Porn Helpline and how you can support their work, click here.
Kate Worthington
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