What to do if…
you are being pressured to meet in person by someone who already has intimate images of you
Short answer
Do not meet them. Get yourself to a safer, calmer pause, and bring in support (a trusted person and/or police and specialist services) so you’re not handling threats alone.
Do not do these things
- Do not go to an in-person meeting “just to make it stop” (this can sharply increase your physical risk).
- Do not negotiate in real time, argue, or try to “prove” anything to them.
- Do not send any more images, videos, live calls, or “verification” selfies.
- Do not pay money or agree to escalating demands.
- Do not delete chats/call logs in panic (they may matter later if you choose to get help).
- Do not share the images yourself to “get ahead of it” or punish yourself.
What to do now
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Create immediate physical safety distance.
If you’re out or they know where you are, move to a public place or be with other people. If you feel at immediate risk of harm, call 999. -
If it feels safe, send one clear “no meeting” boundary that buys time, then stop debating.
Example: “I’m not meeting you. Do not contact me again.”
If you’re worried they may show up in person or you need to avoid escalation while you get help, keep any contact text-only, brief, and practical (“I’m not meeting. Do not come to my address. I’m contacting police.”). -
Save the threat evidence without doing anything complicated.
Take screenshots of: their username/number, the threats, any demands to meet, and any proof they have the images. Note the date/time. Then avoid further back-and-forth. -
Get specialist help to reduce spread and regain control.
- If you are 18+ and the images were taken when you were 18+, contact the Revenge Porn Helpline (confidential support and takedown guidance).
- If you are 18+ (and were 18+ when the image was taken), use StopNCII.org to help participating platforms detect/remove non-consensual intimate images.
- If you are under 18 (or the image was taken when you were under 18), use Childline/IWF Report Remove to confidentially seek removal.
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Report the behaviour as intimidation/blackmail and intimate image abuse.
- If you feel in danger now: 999.
- Otherwise, contact your local police (often via 101 or your force’s online reporting). Focus on: “They have intimate images and are pressuring me to meet in person.”
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If you are under 18, or the images were taken when you were under 18: treat this as child sexual exploitation.
Tell a safe adult now (parent/carer, teacher). You can also make a report to CEOP about online sexual abuse/pressure. You do not have to manage this alone. -
Bring one trusted person into the room with you.
Ask them to sit with you while you report / contact support so you’re not isolated, and so someone else knows what’s happening. -
If there has been any in-person sexual contact, assault, or you fear it might happen, you can seek urgent specialist care.
You can contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for confidential medical and practical support (even if you’re unsure what you want to do next).
What can wait
- You do not need to decide right now whether to “report formally,” press charges, or confront them.
- You do not need to write a perfect statement or collect every detail before getting help.
- You do not need to warn everyone, change your whole life, or respond to every message.
- You do not need to resolve where the images came from today—focus on safety and support first.
Important reassurance
Being threatened with intimate images is a common coercion tactic, and the pressure to comply can feel overwhelming. The safest, most stabilising move is to not meet and to hand this to support services so the threat isn’t controlling your next step.
Scope note
These are first steps to reduce immediate risk and prevent irreversible choices. Next steps (takedowns, longer-term safety planning, legal options) can be done with specialist support once you’re steadier.
Important note
This is general information, not legal or medical advice. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999. If you’re not sure what applies to you, a specialist helpline or SARC can talk you through options without pressure.
Additional Resources
- https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/online-safety/online-safety/intimate-image-abuse-revenge-porn/help-and-support/
- https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/kidnap-and-extortion/sextortion
- https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk/
- https://stopncii.org/
- https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/
- https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/