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World desk4 min

How to Save Evidence of Image-Based Abuse Without Sharing It Further

Document image-based abuse with a factual timeline and non-explicit details. Avoid creating or forwarding intimate-image copies, especially if a minor may be depicted.
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You can document image-based abuse without making another copy of the intimate image. Start by recording where and when it appeared, the account or service involved, any threats, and the steps you have taken. Do not download, forward, or send the image to someone as “proof”—especially if the person depicted may be under 18. If the image itself may be illegal, keep non-explicit details and ask local authorities or a specialist service how to proceed.

First, consider safety and whether anyone may be under 18

If you or someone else faces an immediate threat, contact local emergency services. If documenting the abuse feels overwhelming, ask a trusted person or support service to help, if doing so is safe.

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Do not download, repost, forward, email, or send intimate images to friends, helpers, or authorities as a way to document them. Laws and procedures vary by location. In particular, if someone depicted may be under 18—or the material may otherwise be illegal—do not save or capture the image. Retain non-explicit identifying details and ask the appropriate local authority or specialist service what to do next. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner advises people not to save or share sexual images or videos of anyone under 18, and its guidance for education settings specifically tells staff not to photograph, screenshot, copy, print, or send an intimate image; that guide is directed at education-sector responses, not a universal procedure for every adult case. eSafety image-based abuse quick guide · eSafety education-sector response guide, July 2025

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Make a factual record without copying the image

Write a short timeline while details are fresh. Use exact dates and times where possible, and distinguish what you know from what you suspect. Do not speculate about who is responsible or why.

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  • When you learned about the content and when it appeared, if known.
  • Where it appeared: the platform or service, page or message URL, and any relevant group or account identifiers.
  • The account name, handle, profile details, or other identifiers that appear connected to the content.
  • Any threats, demands for payment, unwanted contact, or other relevant messages.
  • Whether a person depicted may be under 18, without copying or circulating the image.
  • Reports already made to a platform, regulator, police, or support service, including dates and confirmation or case numbers.

For a threatening conversation, preserve the surrounding exchange when appropriate rather than recording a single line without context. Keep the original, non-explicit record unedited; avoid cropping or annotating the only copy of a screenshot. eSafety’s general evidence guidance discusses retaining screenshots or photos that show both a post and the account or profile involved. eSafety: How to collect evidence

Choose a safe way to record non-explicit context

For non-explicit material such as a threatening message, account page, or post details, a screenshot may preserve useful context. Before capturing anything, consider whether the app notifies the other person about screenshots, recordings, or downloads, and whether that notification could put you at risk. If a capture could alert or endanger you, record the details in writing or get advice before acting.

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For non-explicit evidence only, eSafety notes that photographing the screen with a separate device may be an option when an app might notify someone about a screenshot. That is not a reason to photograph or duplicate an intimate image that may be illegal, involve a minor, or be covered by specific authority guidance. If you are unsure, do not capture the image; preserve its URL and other non-explicit identifiers instead. eSafety: How to collect evidence

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Report through the channels that apply where you are

After recording safe, non-explicit context, report the content to the platform and consider the relevant local regulator or police. Keep report acknowledgements and reference numbers. If police or a regulator is already involved, ask whether they need particular information before the content is removed. eSafety says it may check with police before removal in some cases; that is an Australian process, not a guarantee elsewhere.

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For readers in the United States, RAINN describes platform reporting, evidence preservation where safe, account security, and U.S.-specific reporting options. RAINN also says the U.S. TAKE IT DOWN Act requires platforms to remove qualifying non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours of a verified request. That requirement is limited to qualifying requests under U.S. law; it is not a global deadline or a promise that every report will lead to removal. RAINN: Report and remove intimate images, deepfakes, and fake nudes

In Australia, eSafety accepts reports about image-based abuse and provides information about police and legal help. Use the reporting and child-protection or law-enforcement route for your own country if the person depicted may be a child; do not assume Australian or U.S. procedures apply elsewhere. eSafety: Report image-based abuse · eSafety: Police and legal help

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Secure your accounts when it is safe to do so

If someone may have access to your accounts or devices, consider changing passwords, turning on two-factor authentication, checking active sessions, and reviewing privacy settings. But a sudden security change may alert an abuser or escalate danger. If that is a concern, pause and make a safety plan with trusted help before changing settings. RAINN: Report and remove intimate images, deepfakes, and fake nudes

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