What to do?
Ask for it to be deleted
If you regret sending an intimate image or video to someone, ask them to delete it. If it is posted online, then un-tag yourself and if you feel able, ask the person who posted it to delete it.
Report it
If someone has posted sexual or naked photos or videos of you online without your permission, this is called image-based abuse. It is never OK.
Report it to eSafety and we can help you get the image or video removed. Visit our image-based abuse pages for more information about what you can do and how to take action.
You can also report to the service or platform where the photo or video was posted and ask for it to be removed. You can find reporting links in the eSafety Guide.
Stay calm and talk to someone
If the video or image has already spread online, try to stay calm and seek support. It can help to have a free and confidential talk with a counselling or support service. You might also want to talk to your friends or family for support. Find out how to connect with support.
What if someone under the age of 18 is involved?
Research shows that nearly 1 in 3 young people aged 14 to 17 in Australia had some experience of sending, sharing or being asked to share nudes.
Police sometimes need to become involved in sexting cases where taking or sharing sexual images of someone under 18 may be treated as the production and/or distribution of child sexual abuse material, also known as ‘child pornography’.
Creating, possessing or sharing nude images of people under 18 may be a crime, even if it’s a nude selfie. For information about relevant laws in Australia, visit Youth Law Australia.
Be mindful that possessing intimate images of someone who is under the age of 18, even if it is for the purposes of collecting evidence, may be an offence. You can also read our advice about sharing intimate images in sending nudes and sexting.