Revenge Porn

Learn what revenge porn is, how to avoid it happening to you, the impact it can have, and what to do if you are targeted.

What Is Revenge Porn?

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The term "revenge porn," though frequently used, can be misleading. Some perpetrators are not motivated by revenge or by any personal feelings toward the victim at the time the incident occurs, but are spurred to leverage intimate or explicit tapes or photos after breakups, fights, or other hurtful actions.

Preventing Revenge Porn

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The only way to ensure you will not become a victim of revenge porn is to not share intimate images or allow any explicit images of yourself to be taken. Once an image is shared, you lose control of it, and there will always be a risk of that image being shared again. The rule of thumb here is, if you don't think your family and friends would like to see it, don't share it!

What to Do If You Are a Victim of Revenge Porn

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If you are a victim of revenge porn, there are a number of steps you can take to mitigate the consequences for yourself and others.

Revenge Porn Laws

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If you are a victim of revenge porn or know someone who is, there may be legal help available to you. Contact your local police and make a report. They will be able to advise you further, depending on your circumstances.

Revenge Porn and Mental Health

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Intimate acts or poses, even if performed consensually or willingly, can become public via screenshots, texting, emails, and the like. When thinking of a personal reputation or "you are what Google says you are," the consequences and damages are manifold.

The Financial Cost of Revenge Porn

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In addition to the psychological damage, victims of revenge porn may experience financial hardships. Sometimes, perpetrators demand hefty ransoms to return the photos or videos before their threats of mass distribution become reality.

Revenge Porn Statistics

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Revenge porn has not been explored through research in as much depth as other online harassment-related problems. However, due to its profound impact on individuals, more organizations and governments have been working toward better protection and outcomes for victims.

Social Media and Revenge Porn

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With the advent of social media platforms and apps such as Snapchat or Confide, the ability to share revealing photos of oneself for spurts of time and "for your eyes only" has become more and more prominent, even spawning its own term, "sexting."

Revenge Porn in the Media

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There have been a number of revenge porn incidents in the media that have placed enormous pressure on individuals in the public eye, affecting them both personally and professionally.

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