In short
Intimate image abuse means sharing, or threatening to share, a nude, sexual or otherwise intimate image of someone without their consent. Many people call it "revenge porn", but the motive doesn't matter. Showing a friend, posting it to "get back at" an ex, selling it, or forwarding one you were sent can all be crimes.
Why "revenge porn" is the wrong name
Most laws no longer require a revenge motive. Since January 2024, in England and Wales, sharing an intimate image without consent is an offence even if you didn't mean to cause any harm. The images also aren't "porn". They are private images that were shared in trust or taken without permission. That's why police, charities and the law now say intimate image abuse or non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII).
What counts
Can be a crime
- Showing someone's nude on your phone to a friend
- Forwarding an image to a group chat
- Posting it on social media, porn sites or forums
- Sending it to their partner, family or employer
- Threatening to do any of these, even if you don't have the image
- Sharing a fake or AI-generated nude of a real person
Not the offence
- Keeping an image someone chose to send you, privately
- Showing an image to the police or a lawyer to report abuse
- Sharing your own images of yourself (if you're an adult)
- Sharing with clear consent from the person in the image
Penalties around the world
| Place | Main law | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.66B | 6 months (basic offence), 2 years (with intent to distress or for sexual gratification, or for threats) |
| Scotland | Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016, s.2 | 5 years |
| Northern Ireland | Justice Act (NI) 2016, s.51 | 2 years |
| Ireland | Coco's Law (2020), ss.2 and 3 | 7 years |
| USA | TAKE IT DOWN Act (federal), plus laws in every state | 2 years federal (adults), 3 years (minors), plus state penalties |
| Canada | Criminal Code s.162.1 | 5 years |
| Australia | Criminal Code s.474.17A, plus state laws | 6 years, or 7 years aggravated (federal) |
| New Zealand | Harmful Digital Communications Act s.22A | 2 years or $50,000 fine |
| South Africa | Cybercrimes Act s.16 | 3 years and/or fine |
Threats to share
Threats are often used to control a partner ("If you leave me, I'll send these to your family"). In the UK, this can also be prosecuted as controlling or coercive behaviour. If this is happening to you, read our sextortion guide and our guide to sexting after a breakup.
Deepfakes count too
In England and Wales, Scotland, the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa, the law now covers sharing images that have been faked or AI-generated to look like a real person. In England and Wales, even creating one without consent has been an offence since February 2026. See deepfakes and nudify apps.
If it has happened to you
It is not your fault
Sending an image to someone you trusted is not a crime. Sharing it without your consent is.
Collect evidence
Screenshot where the image appears, the URL, the account that posted it, and any messages or threats, with dates.
Stop it spreading
Use StopNCII.org (adults) or Take It Down / Report Remove (under 18). They create a digital fingerprint so major platforms can block the image without anyone seeing it.
Get support and report
In the UK, the Revenge Porn Helpline (0345 6000 459) can help get images taken down. You can report to the police whenever you are ready.
Full step-by-step guide: if your images have been shared.
Need help right now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK), 112 (Ireland/EU), 911 (US/Canada) or 000 (Australia).
- Images shared or threatened (adults, UK): Revenge Porn Helpline, revengepornhelpline.org.uk or 0345 6000 459
- Stop images spreading (worldwide, adults): StopNCII.org
- Under 18: Childline's Report Remove tool at childline.org.uk or call 0800 1111. Outside the UK: Take It Down
- More countries and services: see our help and support directory
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the facts of each case. We last checked this page on 9 November 2026. If you are facing a police investigation or court case, speak to a solicitor or lawyer where you live.