How not to become a revenge porn victim
Revenge porn and sexting shaming have become so common that almost every day, people fall victim to it. Most of the victims are women, although men may also be targeted at times. Often, families, friends or even colleagues may find such content online before anything can be done about it, leading to embarrassing situations at home and work. Victims may also be harassed at work by coworkers who may have seen such content.
Often, the content may be old. The victims may have forgotten that such content exists or that their former partners may have access to it. With the increase in social media and internet connectivity, such content can spread like wildfire across the web and reach people at their home or workplace.
What to do when it happens
If you have already fallen victim to revenge porn or sextortion, go to the last section of the page to understand what you can do to control and remove such content from the public sphere. Although somewhat difficult, it is possible to control the spreading of such content online even after it has been posted on a public forum or web page. Understand that with revenge porn, time is everything. The earlier you react to it and control it, the easier and faster it is to get it off the web. Get in touch with the Leakserv team right away if you find such content online, and we will ensure that the content is reported and taken down at the earliest from all traceable sources on the internet.
However, if you are worried that you might become a victim of revenge porn and wish to take preventive measures, here are a few things that you could do to avoid such a situation.
Steps to avoiding
publication of revenge porn online
Avoid taking explicit or compromising pictures
Avoid taking pictures that are explicit or compromising in any way. In this day and age of mobile phone cameras, content can be uploaded or even hacked from gadgets without much difficulty. Ensure that such content does not exist at all, anywhere.
If you do, share them with nobody
If, for any reason, you decide to take sexually explicit photos of yourself, do not ever share them with anyone, no matter how much you trust them. Things can always go bad between the two of you, or the device or email could get hacked, exposing you to possible leaks of the content.
Parents and elders should inform youngsters
Parents and elders in the family should speak to youngsters about the dangers of having such content on any device. There should be a discussion about it before the youngster has access to webcams, phone cameras or any other connected devices.
If someone else has your photos, ask for them to delete it
If you realize that someone has taken explicit photos or videos of you with or without your consent, insist that they delete it immediately and not send it to anyone. Delete the content yourself or check the device to ensure that it has been permanently deleted. Contact Leakserv if you are having issues getting the content deleted permanently.
If they won't, seek help
If, for any reason, someone you know has your explicit content and refuses to delete it permanently, seek help. Ask anyone who has authority over the person to force them. Do not be scared to be strict and straightforward about your reservations.
Pay attention during parties
It is common for people to pose for cameras explicitly during fun parties, but it is dangerous. Almost everyone at a party has phones and other devices with cameras, and you may not even realize that such content has been recorded. Avoid doing so at all costs, even if you know all the people at the party well.
Let photographers ask for consent first
If you are at an event that has hired photographers, ensure that you make it clear to them that they do not take photos of you unless you agree to pose for them. It is best to not pose for strangers at such events and risk the photos being edited and posted online. However, if you do pose, check the photos before the photographer leaves the place.
Don't trust strangers
Do not trust strangers who ask to take professional photos of you and get you into movies or into the glamor industry. Do not, for any reason whatsoever, pose for such people or let them shoot you with the promise of making you famous. They could have sinister intentions.
Don't post explicit and sexual content on social media
Do not post explicit sexual content of any kind on social media websites. Even if you share it personally with one or a few people, there is a huge risk that it might get leaked or be released online later. You may want profile hits, but do not use explicit content to get such results.
What to do if you see
your personal photos posted online
Stay calm and seek help immediately
Time is of the essence when it comes to revenge porn. If you notice such content featuring yourself online, stay calm and seek help immediately. The faster you get to work, the easier it is to curb the content from spreading.
Approach law enforcement and file a complaint
Approach law enforcement authorities and file a formal complaint. It is especially important if anyone in the photos or videos is underage, or you are absolutely certain that you did not explicitly permit anyone to publish the content anywhere online.
Work together with professionals
Even if you have hired someone else to find and remove the content, it is best to sit with them and help them identify the content from various sources. The content may be morphed, edited or cropped in ways that only you are able to recognize it, so help out the people who are taking down the content for you.
Start taking action now.
Do you suspect or know your photos are leaked? We can help you out.
The case of Amanda Todd
In 2012 news about Amanda Todd shocked the world. Amanda killed herself at the age of 15 because she was being blackmailed, bullied and physically assaulted. Amanda had uploaded a video to YouTube describing years of bullying that she said drove her to drugs and alcohol. This documentary made a year after her death by CBS News shows you what is was like for her family.
Anna Richardson's Documentary
Revenge porn is on the rise. Anna Richardson meets victims, confronts perpetrators and uncovers a community of men who take pleasure from – and profit from – threatening and shaming women.
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