When a nude image is published on the Internet without the subject’s consent, this is a form of image-based abuse and called revenge porn (or non-consensual pornography). Revenge porn is not limited to an image; it can be a photo, a video, or any other type of media picturing the subject in an intimate state. Revenge porn does not need to be published for the purposes of revenge or extortion to constitute revenge porn.
Some people post private images as ‘revenge’ after a break-up, but other people post images or videos just to embarrass, humiliate, or blackmail the person in the photo or video. Non-Consensual pornography has become a more common crime in recent years because it is so easy to take and share digital photos and videos.
Being the victim of revenge porn not only causes severe damage to the subject’s reputation, but it can also have severe emotional, personal, and professional consequences.
How is revenge porn typically distributed?
There are a few scenarios in which a person can gain access to your personal images:
- The victim sends an intimate image to another person, intending for it to remain private,
- A person hacks into a victim’s phone, computer, app (like Snapchat), or cloud storage system, or
- A person takes a photo of the victim (with or without their consent).
Once another person has access to your photo, he or she can send it to other people or even publish it to various platforms including social media websites, forums like Reddit, or even revenge porn websites (as explained below). When a person has access to your intimate images, they can control who else has access to them.
How another person accesses or distributes your intimate content is irrelevant for deciding on whether it is considered revenge pornography. An intimate photo distributed to a third party without your consent is revenge porn.
The existence of revenge porn is extremely damaging, and the effects can increase over time as the content is distributed across the Internet. Revenge porn is not a problem that will go away on its own. It is essential that the problem is dealt with as soon as possible for the following reasons
Steps to remove revenge porn from the internet
The process to remove revenge porn from the Internet can vary depending on your situation, the site(s) where the media was posted, and the type of content that was used.
- Reach out to the person who posted the content and ask them to remove it
- Contact the website where the content is posted to ask them to remove the content
- Send a DMCA Takedown Notice
- Send Google a Notice to remove the offending URL
- Seek legal help and file a lawsuit, provided that you know who is the offender
However, do take note that it may not be as straightforward to contact the pornography sites as they may hide or not reveal their contact details. Sometimes, they may ignore your requests and you need to figure out the best way to get in touch with them.
Consider a Takedown Service
Leak Content Removal is specialized in removing revenge porn, and can assist in you having revenge porn removal from the web. We offer takedown plans for all budgets and can help you detect and defend yourself against the unauthorized publication of your intimate photos and videos.
A service like this can provide you with the tools, resources, and guidance to help you in your fight to remove your photos, protect your privacy and save you a lot of time.
Are you keen to find out how we can assist you to monitor and remove revenge porn from the internet?
Click here to get in touch with us today for a confidential discussion. Feel at ease by communicating with our female agent.
