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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
you keep receiving unwanted explicit images and the sender will not stop

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

Short answer

Stop engaging, block and report the account on the platform, and change the setting that lets them reach you. Keep a small record only if it is safe and not too distressing.

Do not do these things

  • Do not reply again to warn them, argue, negotiate, or shame them; it can increase contact.
  • Do not share the images with friends, group chats, or social media for advice.
  • Do not click links, download files, or move the chat to another app to explain.
  • Do not post their details publicly as a first move; it can make you easier to target.
  • Do not feel you must report to police immediately if you are overwhelmed; stabilising first is allowed.
  • Do not screenshot, save, forward, or share an intimate image if it may show someone under 18.

What to do now

  1. Create a quick safety pause. Put your phone face-down, step away for a moment, and make the next action about reducing contact, not solving everything.

  2. Stop the channel they are using.

    • Block the sender account.
    • Use the platform’s report tool for harassment, sexual content, unsolicited nudity, or cyberflashing.
    • If the platform allows it, report both the account and the specific message or image.

  3. Lock down how people can reach you.

    • Restrict DMs or messages to friends, contacts, or people you follow.
    • Turn off message requests, or move unknown senders to a filtered folder.
    • If new accounts keep appearing, temporarily make your profile private and limit who can comment, tag, or DM you.

  4. Preserve options without overdoing evidence.

    • You do not have to gather screenshots before reporting to police.
    • If the image may show someone under 18, do not screenshot, save, forward, or share it, even for evidence.
    • If everyone shown is clearly over 18 and it will not worsen your distress, take one set of screenshots showing the account name or ID, the message thread with timestamps, and any threats or coercion.
    • Save any screenshots somewhere you do not have to look at them again.

  5. If this is connected to work, use a work channel to stop it.

    • If the sender is a colleague, customer, client, contractor, or manager, report it through your employer’s harassment or safeguarding route.
    • If you feel unsafe doing that alone, ask a trusted colleague, union representative, or support person to sit with you while you send the report.
    • Keep the report short: who sent it, what platform or work system was used, when it happened, and what you need stopped.

  6. If you want official help, choose the least-draining route.

    • If you are in immediate danger, someone is trying to locate you, or violence is threatened, call 999.
    • Otherwise, you can contact police through 101, your local force’s online reporting, or Police.uk.
    • In England and Wales, sending unsolicited genital images can be a specific criminal offence. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the route or offence may differ, but you can still report what happened and ask what applies where you are.

  7. If a child or young person is involved, use child-safety routes.

    • If you believe a child is at risk right now, call 999.
    • If you are worried about online sexual abuse, grooming, or sexual communication with a child, make a report to CEOP.
    • If someone under 18 is worried about a nude or sexual image of themselves being shared online, Childline Report Remove can help request removal.

  8. Get specialist support if the situation is escalating.

    • If this links to threats to share images, image-based abuse, stalking, blackmail, or sextortion, contact a specialist support service before responding to demands.
    • For adult UK victims of intimate image abuse, the Revenge Porn Helpline can help with reporting options and image removal.
    • For harmful online content more broadly, Report Harmful Content can help you find the right platform reporting route.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to make a police report, workplace complaint, or formal case.
  • You do not need to write a long statement, collect every message, or prove intent right now.
  • You do not need to confront the person, work out why they are doing it, or teach them a lesson.
  • You do not need to change all your accounts at once; start with the one or two settings that stop contact.

Important reassurance

Receiving unsolicited explicit images can feel shocking, violating, or nauseating, even if you are managing outwardly. Your reaction is a normal response to a boundary being crossed. The priority is to reduce contact and get you back to a steadier place before any bigger decisions.

Scope note

This is first steps only: stabilise, stop the contact, and preserve options. If there is ongoing harassment, a workplace power imbalance, stalking, threats, blackmail, or child-safety concern, specialist support can help you choose safer next steps.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal, medical, therapeutic, safeguarding, workplace, or professional advice. Processes and offences can differ across England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. If you are unsure what applies where you are, it is still appropriate to block and report on the platform and seek support while you decide whether to involve your workplace, police, CEOP, or a specialist service.

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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