Revenge Porn Photos: What To Do

Revenge porn photos threaten not only the livelihoods of adults but the well-being of teenagers. Briefly, revenge porn is the sharing of sexually explicit images online without permission of the subject. Not only does this action violate the victim’s sense of privacy and self-esteem, revenge porn destroys the victim’s online reputation, career, relationships, and sometimes even, physical safety.

Shockingly, almost half of the states in the United States don’t have laws against revenge pornography, leaving victims with an uphill battle to regain online sexual privacy and receive justice. However, Pennsylvania criminalized revenge pornography, making it easier for Pennsylvania victims to fight for their rights. Consequently, lawmakers in other states are scrambling to confront this growing problem. Without a doubt, revenge porn needs to be nationally illegal.

12 Steps To Dealing With Revenge Porn Photos

1. Screenshot everything

Although your gut reaction might be to erase the revenge porn photos as quickly as you can, screenshot them. You may need them in the future. When you pursue justice for this violation of your privacy, the documentation of these photos will build your case.

2. Image search the revenge porn photos

Use the image search capacity of your search engine to comb the internet for your photos. The results will reveal the extent and reach of the violation of your online sexual privacy. If you find more photos, document them in a screenshot of the image in the browser.

3. Reach out to your friends and family

Finding explicit photos of yourself throughout the internet obviously makes for a very bad day. However, you shouldn’t struggle through this alone. Be sure to reach out to your trusted support network.

4. Secure social media accounts

In some cases, personal information captions the revenge porn photos, including address, phone number, workplace, and social media profiles. Take extra precautions and check your privacy settings on all your social accounts. If you receive any inappropriate messages linked to your revenge porn photos, document the messages.

5. Report the revenge porn photos

Reputable websites like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter respond quickly to revenge porn photo takedown requests. In fact, they often have easy-to-find forms for making your report and request. Always be sure to document the photos before they are removed so you can use them for evidence if you decide to sue.

6. Contact the webmaster

Meanwhile, websites that host pornographic images may be very difficult to even contact about the use of nonconsensual pictures. In these cases, contact the webmaster with your request. However, it’s very likely you’ll need legal backup to make any headway.

7. File a police report

Although you may not want to file a police report upon discovery of your revenge porn photos, do it. Visit your local police department and file a report against your perpetrator. Fight for your sexual privacy and for the prevention of revenge porn in the future.

8. Set up a Google alert

Admittedly, the last thing you want showing up in your email inbox is a reminder that your online privacy has been violated. However, a Google alert helps you to know if your photos are spreading further online. Keep track without having to do constant image searches.

9. Look into victim resources

You are not alone. Revenge porn is on the rise, meaning that many other men and women have discovered revenge porn photos of themselves online and had to figure out what to do. Seek victim resources to help you fight for your peace of mind and focus on next steps for protecting your sexual privacy online.

10. Contact a lawyer

Seeking justice for the violation of your sexual privacy brings you the satisfaction of fighting for your reputation and personal life. Many ex-partners choose to post revenge porn photos online to hurt and ruin all aspects of the victim’s life. Rise up and fight against revenge porn by contacting a revenge porn lawyer.

11. Check into local and federal laws

In Pennsylvania, revenge porn is illegal. Pennsylvania’s Act 115 of 2014, amending Titles 18 and 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, protects the sexual privacy of Pennsylvanians. This law makes it illegal to post explicit photos of an ex-partner online and to share them with others. The perpetrator may be sentenced to time in jail and a heavy fine.

12. File a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) request

If the revenge porn photos were selfies that you took, those photos are considered yours by copyright. Therefore, you can file a request through the Digital Millennium Copyright Act for the explicit photos of you to be taken offline. DMCA’s website offers two options for filing a takedown request.

If you have found revenge porn photos of yourself online and you want to know your legal options, contact a revenge porn lawyer with your questions and evidence.

Chat with a revenge porn attorney: (412) 626-5626 or lawyer@lawkm.com.