Blocking out online sexual abuse

The internet is a great place, but things are not always as they seem and there are some pretty messed up people out there. Like those who are way older than you – weirdos who slide into your DMs, dropping compliments, but if we’re being real, all they want is to see you naked. Gross. They do everything they can to get you to take sexy pics for them.

Not anymore though, because here we’re gonna show you how to spot the red flags. We can stop this together! But only if we start talking about it.

Block. Report. Tell someone you trust.

OUR MISSION

Asking for nudes leaving you shook?

In 2021, we started this campaign to keep girls safe from creeps on the internet. But online sexual abuse is something that affects young people everywhere. Teenage girls are the most likely victim but it can happen to anyone, of any gender.

Watch this film to know when something suss is up. IYKYK.

Block. Report. Tell someone you trust. Be savage, because what they’re doing is so wrong. We can end this together, but only if we start talking about it. So pls share it with your friends.

WHAT'S ONLINE GROOMING?

You’ve just uploaded some new content and a random old guy comments: “Oh you’re so hot! Can’t stop watching it over and over again ” Excuse me, but who the hell are you?

That’s online grooming, adults sending sexual messages to teens like you. They want to add you, gain your trust, and be on you to send them sexual photos, to do grim things with. And if they don’t get want they want, they get nasty, try to get you in trouble and put it all on you. That’s abuse. So don’t sleep on it, if you get some rank DMs.

Block. Report. Tell someone you trust.

SPOT THE SIGNS

Here’s a bunch of facts and info that you should know about to help you watch out for red flags of online sexual abuse, and how to react if it happens to you or your mates.

It’s not always easy to spot them as abusers may hide who they really are by sending photos or videos of someone younger, or they might do a really good job of making you feel like they REALLY like you to get what they want; see you naked. 🤮 But you got this!

POST 1 — This can happen to anyone, even the people you admire, no one has the perfect life and online abusers know how to get into girls heads and manipulate people.

POST 3 — We asked your favorite influencers, who were not that long ago the same age as you are now, about their understanding and experience of this same issue.

POST 2 — Check out their stories and hear what they have to say. Get some useful take-away tips on dealing with this unwanted and unsought attention from adults online. Learn from their experiences, join the conversation, leave a comment.

WHAT TO DO

You only need to remember 3 steps:

BLOCK

Instead of responding and giving that creep the attention they seek, you just block him. Say nada.

REPORT

If an adult asks for sexy images or videos from you, that’s Online Sexual Abuse.

So let’s make it stop by clicking on that report button, so they can’t bother anyone ever again.

TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST

It’s important that we tell someone we love and trust what’s happened. It can be your mum, your bestie, even your favourite teacher. So speak out about it, you’ve done nothing wrong: They have.

Shame on them, not on us.

NEED SUPPORT?

If anything like this is happening to you or you’re just worried about one of your friends and need some help, here are some other places you can get support.

Childline is a free, anonymous service to assist with any situation you’re dealing with, no matter how big or small you think it is. You can call on 0800 1111 or chat 1-2-1 with a counsellor online by visiting their website at childline.

If you think you’ve spotted the red flags of online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online is just not ok, you can report it to CEOP. One of their experienced and really nice Child Protection Advisors will be there to make sure you get the help that you or your friend needs. You can make a report online for yourself, or do it for a friend.

Block. Report. Tell Someone You Trust.

Help centres for social media platforms are listed below:

About IWF

The IWF is a charity that works to stop child sexual abuse images and videos online across the world. We help to make the internet a safer place for everyone. If you ever see sexual images or videos of someone who looks under 18 online, you can report the content safely and anonymously here: https://report.iwf.org.uk/en

Young people aged under 18 who are worried a sexual image or video of them may have been shared online can use Childline and IWF’s Report Remove tool. This helps young people to report an image or video shared online, to see if it is possible to get it removed. Once the report has been made, Childline supports the child and provides any updates or feedback.

If you’re worried about child sexual abuse and you would like to find a way to report it, this page will help you find support – whether it’s for you, or someone you know. Visit Stop Abuse Together.