How to Report Revenge Porn to the Police
If someone has shared your intimate images without your consent, filing a police report is an important step — even if you are not sure the police will investigate. Here is what you need to know before you go.
Is It Actually a Crime Where You Live?
As of 2025, all 50 states plus Washington D.C. have laws criminalizing the non-consensual distribution of intimate images. The two holdouts are Massachusetts and South Carolina (though both have had bills introduced). Even if your state does not have a specific revenge porn law, what happened to you may fall under other criminal statutes like harassment, stalking, or cyberstalking.
More importantly, the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act (signed into law in 2025) makes it a federal crime to knowingly publish non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes. This means you can potentially involve federal law enforcement regardless of your state's laws.
What Evidence to Collect Before Filing
Walk into the police station prepared. Bring:
- Screenshots of the images as they appear online — include the full URL, any visible usernames, timestamps, and surrounding context
- The original platform or website URLs where the content appears
- Any communications with the person who posted them — texts, DMs, emails, voicemails where they admit to sharing the images or threaten to do so
- Your identification — to verify you are the person in the images
- A timeline — when the images were originally taken, when you discovered they were shared, and any relevant relationship history
- Evidence of relationship — anything that establishes the identity of the person who shared the images
Print everything out and also bring it on a USB drive. Make copies for yourself — do not hand over your only evidence.
What to Expect at the Police Station
Be honest with yourself: many local police departments are still catching up to this type of crime. Your experience may vary significantly depending on where you live. Here is what might happen:
- Best case: An officer who understands the relevant laws takes your report, collects your evidence, and opens an investigation
- Common case: The officer takes a report but may not know the specific statute. The report gets filed, which is still valuable documentation
- Frustrating case: The officer may minimize what happened, suggest it is a civil matter, or seem unfamiliar with revenge porn laws
If you encounter resistance, you can:
- Ask to speak with a detective or someone in the cybercrime unit
- Reference your state's specific statute by name and number (look it up beforehand)
- Reference the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act
- Request a report number even if they say they cannot investigate — you are entitled to file a report
Filing with the FBI
For cases involving interstate distribution (the images crossed state lines via the internet, which they almost always do), you can also file a report with:
- FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov — this is the primary federal intake for internet-related crimes
- FBI local field office — for cases involving serious threats, extortion, or large-scale distribution
Federal agencies prioritize cases involving minors, sextortion rings, or organized distribution, but filing creates a record regardless.
The Limitations of Law Enforcement
Being realistic about what police can and cannot do:
- Criminal cases take time — investigations can take months or years
- Prosecution is not guaranteed — even with strong evidence, prosecutors may decline the case
- Police cannot force websites to remove content — law enforcement can request removal, but the fastest path to getting content down is through platform reporting and DMCA notices
- Arrests do not undo the damage — even if the perpetrator is charged, the images may still be online
This is why pursuing removal independently (or through a professional service) in parallel with law enforcement is important. Do not wait for the police to get your content taken down.
Civil Legal Options
Beyond criminal charges, you can pursue civil action:
- Sue for damages under state revenge porn laws (many states allow civil suits in addition to criminal prosecution)
- Sue for invasion of privacy or intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Sue for copyright infringement if you took the images yourself
- Seek a protective order or injunction to force removal and prevent further distribution
A lawyer specializing in internet privacy or sexual exploitation cases can advise on the strongest claims for your situation. Many offer free initial consultations.
Victim Advocacy Resources
You do not have to navigate this alone:
- Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI): Operates a crisis helpline and can connect you with attorneys
- RAINN: National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) provides confidential support
- Victim advocates: Many prosecutors' offices have victim advocates who can help you through the process
Taking Parallel Action
While the legal process unfolds, do not wait to start getting content removed. File reports with the platforms hosting the content, submit de-indexing requests to Google and Bing, and use StopNCII.org to create hashes that prevent re-uploads. If the scope is overwhelming, IntimaShield's crisis team can handle the removal process while you focus on the legal side.
A police report creates an official record that your images were shared without consent. That record strengthens future legal action, supports platform removal requests, and establishes a documented pattern if the perpetrator does it again.
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