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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations sexual threats online • online sexual harassment • rejected someone threats • escalating messages • coercive sexual messages • intimidation after rejection • unwanted sexual contact online • stalking by messages • harassment on social media • threatening to share images • threatened with sexual violence • persistent unwanted contact • online blackmail threats • someone won’t stop messaging • stranger threats online • ex-partner sexual threats • doxxing threats after rejection • deepfake threat • explicit threats in dm • safety after online threats

What to do if…
you receive sexual threats online after you rejected someone and they keep escalating

Short answer

Stop engaging and move to safety-first documentation and reporting: block where you can, keep the messages, and contact the police if you feel unsafe or the threats are specific.

Do not do these things

  • Do not try to “reason” with them, negotiate, or explain yourself again — escalation often feeds on replies.
  • Do not send intimate images or personal information to “prove” anything or calm them down.
  • Do not meet them in person “to clear things up”.
  • Do not delete the conversation if you might want help from the platform or police later.
  • Do not publicly call them out using identifying details (it can inflame risk and complicate reporting).
  • Do not click links they send or install anything they recommend.

What to do now

  1. Create a safer pause first. If you feel in immediate danger (they know where you are, you’re being followed, or you think they may turn up), call 999. If it’s not immediate danger but you feel threatened, call 101 to report and get advice.
  2. Stop contact in a clean, boring way. If you haven’t already, send one final message only if it feels safe: “Do not contact me again.” Then do not reply further.
  3. Block and lock down accounts (without wiping evidence).
    • Block the person on each app/platform.
    • Set your social accounts to private, hide your phone/email from profiles, and remove location info where possible.
    • Turn on two-factor authentication for email and social accounts (starting with your email).
  4. Preserve what matters (light-touch). Save a clear record of:
    • The messages (including dates/times), usernames/handles, profile links, and any threats to share images or find you.
    • If safe, take screenshots and also note the platform, account name, and message URL where available.
    • Keep this in one folder (phone notes or a document) so you don’t have to keep re-reading the threats.
  5. Report it in two places.
    • Report the messages inside the app (harassment/threats) and use any “threats” / “sexual harassment” / “intimate image abuse” categories offered.
    • Report to the police (999/101 as above). Repeated unwanted contact may be treated as stalking/harassment; threats should be taken seriously.
  6. If they’re threatening to share sexual images (or deepfakes), get specialist help.
    • The Revenge Porn Helpline supports UK-based adults (18+) affected by intimate image abuse, including threats to share.
    • They may be able to advise on urgent takedown steps and, in some cases, tools like StopNCII (where eligible) that help reduce re-uploads on participating platforms.
  7. Bring in a real person and reduce isolation. Tell one trusted person what’s happening and ask them to:
    • Sit with you while you report (or do the “form-filling” while you dictate).
    • Be the person you can message if you get scared or tempted to respond.
  8. If this is (or could be) an intimate partner/ex-partner, treat it as a safety situation.
    • Use a safe device (one they cannot access) to seek advice if you worry about monitoring.
    • Consider contacting a specialist stalking or domestic abuse service for tech-safety and immediate risk support.
  9. If you’re under 18 (or the situation involves a child), get child-specific support. Use the platform reporting tools and seek guidance from child online-safety support services rather than trying to handle this alone.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to pursue charges, go to court, or “make a formal statement”.
  • You do not need to write a perfect timeline right now — a basic list of incidents is enough.
  • You do not need to overhaul every account in one sitting; start with email + main social accounts.
  • You do not need to confront them, explain yourself, or get closure.

Important reassurance

Being shaken, nauseous, or frozen by sexual threats is a normal nervous-system response. You’re not “overreacting” — your job right now is to reduce access to you, keep a record, and get the right support around you.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to stabilise and prevent harmful next moves. If the behaviour continues, specialist stalking/harassment support and police safeguarding advice can help you plan next steps without you having to handle it alone.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice or a substitute for emergency services. If you feel in danger or the threats are specific and credible, contact the police immediately.

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