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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
you are sent explicit content that appears to involve someone who may be underage and you feel panicked

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stop engaging with the content, do not forward it, and report it where it was sent. If it appears to be an online image or video involving a child, use the Internet Watch Foundation reporting route; if a child may be in immediate danger, call 999.

Do not do these things

  • Do not forward it to anyone, even to ask what they think.
  • Do not reply to the sender to argue, threaten, warn them, or negotiate.
  • Do not keep reopening the content to check details.
  • Do not search for more content or try to investigate.
  • Do not post about it publicly or share screenshots in group chats.
  • Do not try to work out the person’s age yourself.
  • Do not feel you have to be certain before using a proper reporting route.
  • Do not delete your whole account, wipe your phone, or make sudden changes while you are panicked.

What to do now

  1. Stop the interaction. Close the image, video, or chat. Do not continue the conversation with the sender.
  2. Report the account and the specific content in the app or website where it was sent. Use the platform’s reporting tools before blocking if you can do that without reopening the content repeatedly. Then block, mute, or restrict the sender if that stops further contact.
  3. If there is a URL, web address, or hosted online post showing suspected child sexual abuse imagery, report it to the Internet Watch Foundation. Use the IWF route for suspected online child sexual abuse images or videos. Do not search for more material.
  4. If the content is inside a private or encrypted messaging app and there is no web address, use the platform report and consider police, CEOP, or Report Harmful Content instead of trying to investigate it yourself. If you are unsure, report what you can through the safest available route and do not keep viewing the content.
  5. If a child may be in immediate danger, call 999 now. If it is not an emergency but you need to contact police, use 101 or the police online reporting route.
  6. If you are under 18, or you are worried that online sexual abuse, grooming, pressure, or exploitation may be happening to a child, use the CEOP Safety Centre. Tell a trusted adult if you can do that safely.
  7. If this seems linked to a child you know, contact police, CEOP, local children’s services, or the NSPCC Helpline rather than handling it yourself. Share only what you know; you do not need to prove what happened.
  8. Do not keep saved copies. If the content downloaded to your device by accident, report it first, then remove the accidental download if you can do that without reopening or sharing it. If police, the platform, IWF, CEOP, or a safeguarding service gives you a specific instruction, follow that instead.
  9. After reporting, reduce further exposure. Leave the app closed, turn off message previews or notifications from that account if you can, and avoid going back into the chat unless the platform, police, CEOP, IWF, or a safeguarding service asks you to do something specific.

What can wait

You do not need to work out exactly what offence this is, decide every possible report today, identify the person, or explain the whole situation perfectly. You also do not need to keep looking at the content to be “sure”.

Important reassurance

Feeling shocked, sick, frozen, or scared after seeing something like this is a normal reaction. The safest first move is to stop the spread, use the proper reporting route, and let specialist services handle the next stage.

Scope note

This is first steps only. Later decisions about reporting, safeguarding, legal worries, or support may need specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, mental health, safeguarding, or professional advice. The right next step can depend on your age, where the content was sent, and whether there is an immediate risk to a child.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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