Revenge Porn, otherwise known as Image Based Sexual Abuse, has become a problem of our time. Having your intimate images posted online as some form of ‘revenge’ is distressing and damaging.
Why we need your help
We are the only free helpline service for victims of this growing crime. Without your support these ordinary people, whose privacy has been violated, could be left with nowhere to turn.
We are raising funds to secure funding to continue the service but also to meet the extraordinary rise in demand. We are seeking funding from both members of the public and larger organisations to help us help victims.
Our service
We are the UK experts in all aspects of revenge pornography and internet enabled blackmail. We provide advice to media, policy makers, industry and law enforcement.
If we close, this will all be lost:
- Short-term, non-judgemental, emotional support - we are often the first port of call for these ordinary people who can be traumatised and distressed when they contact us.
- Practical help in reporting and removing online content - we have strong relationships with internet industry partners, which helps us to minimise the reach, and some of the harm, caused by revenge porn.
- Coaching and advice on gathering evidence and approaching the authorities.
- Support and legislative advice to law enforcement agencies.
- Signposting to free, accessible, legal consultations offering specialist support.
Jodie Marsh:
"During my time investigating Revenge Porn for my TLC documentary, I came to see how important the work is that the Revenge Porn Helpline does.
"Victims of Revenge Porn often feel isolated and desperate and have nowhere to turn as they are too ashamed to even speak to those close to them. Having an impartial helpline to turn to for advice and support is key to not only helping the victims but also in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
"Revenge Porn is now illegal, but in so many cases we see that the victim is too afraid to speak out and/or doesn’t know that it’s illegal and therefore these crimes go unreported, leaving a trail of destruction behind them. I would urge anyone to support this important cause."
Below: Jodie with Laura Higgins (both centre), founder of the helpline, and members of the team.
Who we are
Founded in February 2015 by Laura Higgins, the helpline provides a safe point of contact for victims. We have received more than 7,500 calls from victims of this growing problem since we launched.
Our cases vary wildly but often involve everyday people, male and female, from a mix of backgrounds, who have had their images posted on pornographic websites without consent by an ex-partner. These are then replicated across numerous other websites across the world.
Our clients
Without the helpline people like Sarah would have nowhere to turn. Sarah's ex posted her images on a sharing site and they were shared more than 80 times and viewed by 1,000s of strangers.
The whole thing was a hugely traumatic experience that stripped Sarah of her confidence and made her too ashamed to leave the house.
With our support Sarah was able to get the content removed, report the crime to the police and begin to move on:
"It really has meant a lot to me and in turn kept me going knowing someone else is helping to fight my corner."
Testimonials
How your support will help
Whether you can offer a financial contribution towards the running of the helpline (be it £1 or a £1,000) or help raise awareness of our campaign, by sharing via social media, word of mouth or smoke signal, your generous support will make a difference.
The more people that shout about this, the more awareness we can generate, both of the helpline's plight and of revenge pornography as a crime.
Your support will help our small but dedicated team to continue to provide support to victims of revenge pornography.
Thank you for your help.