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Freedom251 › Blog › image-based abuse

How to Preserve Evidence of Online Image-Based Abuse Safely

By Freedom251 Team · · 5 min read

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If it is safe, record where the image or threat appeared, the account identifiers, the URL, dates and times, related messages, and any reports you have made. You do not need to download or forward an intimate image to document what happened. If anyone shown may be under 18, do not screenshot, record, or share the image; contact the appropriate police or specialist service for guidance. If you are in immediate danger, get to safety and contact local emergency services first.

What should I record before a post disappears?

Focus on the surrounding information that identifies the content and explains what happened. When safe, make a brief, factual record of:

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  • The platform or service and the post, message, or profile URL, if available.
  • The account name, username, handle, or platform ID connected to the post or contact.
  • When you found the content and the dates and times of relevant contact or posting.
  • What happened, including whether someone threatened to share images, demanded money, or tried to extort you.
  • Related threats, messages, payment demands, and records of reports to the platform, police, or a regulator.

RAINN recommends recording what happened in plain language and keeping relevant links, message details, and screenshots when safe. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner also advises recording identifiers, timing, contact details, and previous reports. Keep your notes factual and distinguish what you saw from what you infer.

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Capture only what is needed

A screenshot of a threatening message or a post’s surrounding context may help document it, but it is not a requirement for reporting. Before taking a screenshot, screen recording, or download, consider whether the app may alert the other person; some apps do, according to eSafety. If viewing the material is distressing or raises a safety concern, ask someone you trust to help record details or make a report.

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Should I screenshot or save the intimate image?

Do not assume that you should copy the intimate image itself. Do not forward it to friends, colleagues, or public forums to prove what happened. Singapore’s Online Safety Commission says intimate images should only be kept or shared for reporting to it or another public authority, or for court proceedings, and only for as long as necessary. Rules differ by location, so ask local police or a specialist service what may lawfully be retained if you are unsure. No capture method guarantees that material will be admissible in court.

If anyone shown may be under 18

If you do not know whether everyone depicted is at least 18, do not screenshot, record, download, or share the image. The Metropolitan Police’s guidance says: “If you are unsure if everyone in the image or video is 18 or over, don’t screenshot, record, or share it with anyone, even the police.” Police.uk gives the same caution in its sextortion guidance. In the UK, a person under 18 can report sextortion or other online child sexual abuse to the CEOP Safety Centre. Follow local police or specialist-service directions rather than sending the image yourself.

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What should I do if someone is threatening to share my photos?

  1. Deal with immediate danger first. Move to a safer place and contact local emergency services if you face an immediate threat.
  2. Report through a suitable channel when safe. You can use the platform’s abuse or intimate-image reporting route. Reporting procedures vary: eSafety says people in Australia do not have to report to the platform before reporting to it.
  3. Do not wait to collect screenshots before reporting sextortion to UK police. Provide the information you have and ask what evidence, if any, they need.
  4. Secure relevant accounts and personal information where appropriate. Review account access and security settings, especially if someone may have access to your accounts.
  5. Keep a simple report log. Note the date, channel, confirmation number, and response for each report, if available. This can help you keep track of what you have already done.

There is no single sequence that applies everywhere. Some services recommend platform reporting as one part of a response, while Australia’s eSafety Commissioner accepts reports without it first. You can ask the authority or specialist service you contact what details are useful and how to handle any material that remains online.

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Which reporting route should I use?

Route When it may help What to know
Platform To report a post, account, or message directly to the service hosting it. RAINN includes direct platform reporting in its U.S.-oriented response steps. Record the report and any response when safe.
Regulator When a local online-safety authority accepts reports about image-based abuse. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner says a prior platform report is not required. Singapore’s Online Safety Commission provides specific reporting evidence fields and limits on keeping or sharing intimate imagery.
Police For threats, sextortion, or other conduct that may require law-enforcement help. In the UK, you can report sextortion without first gathering screenshots or images. Give police what information you have and ask what they need.
Specialist support When you need help deciding how to report or documenting events feels unsafe or overwhelming. A trusted person can assist with recording non-image details or making a report. Use an appropriate service in your jurisdiction.

What removal rules apply?

Removal duties and reporting options depend on where you are, what content is involved, and which service is in scope. Do not treat one country’s rules or deadline as a universal promise.

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United States

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission describes image-based abuse as creating, sharing, or threatening to share an intimate image without permission. It says certain platforms must provide a way to request removal under the Take It Down Act. Check current FTC guidance and whether the law applies to the specific content and platform.

United Kingdom

A UK Government factsheet updated 30 September 2026 describes Crime and Policing Act 2026 measures that require in-scope services to remove qualifying reported nonconsensual intimate-image content within 48 hours. The duty has conditions, including the type of content and a valid report by or on behalf of the person depicted. It does not establish a 48-hour deadline for every service, report, or country.

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Sources and jurisdiction notes

This guidance draws on organizations in Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States; it is not a universal legal procedure. Check local instructions before retaining or sending intimate imagery.

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