How to Report Revenge Porn to Police: A Complete Guide

If someone has shared your intimate images without your consent, you may have the right to file a criminal report. As of 2026, 49 states plus Washington D.C. have laws criminalizing non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act adds another layer of protection. Here's how to navigate the reporting process.

When Should You Report to Police?

Reporting to law enforcement is a personal decision. It can lead to criminal prosecution of the person who shared your images, and a police report strengthens any civil legal action you pursue later. Consider filing a report when:

• You know who shared your images without consent
• The images are being used for blackmail, extortion, or harassment
• The person is threatening to share more content
• A minor's images are involved (this should always be reported)
• You want a formal record for pursuing legal remedies

You don't need to know the person's identity to file a report—police have tools to investigate and identify perpetrators, especially in sextortion cases.

Step 1: Gather Your Evidence First

Before contacting police, collect and preserve evidence. This makes your report stronger and helps investigators act more quickly.

What to Document

• Screenshots: Capture every instance of your content you can find, including the URL, date, and any visible usernames or account names
• Threatening messages: Save all messages from the person—texts, DMs, emails—especially anything that shows intent or threats
• Platform details: Note which platforms/websites the content appears on
• Timeline: Write down when you discovered the images, when you believe they were posted, and any relevant relationship history
• Witness information: If anyone else saw the content or received it, document their names and how they became aware

How to Preserve Evidence

• Take screenshots with timestamps and URLs visible
• Save messages in their original format (don't just take photos of your screen)
• Export conversations where possible (many messaging apps allow this)
• Store everything in a secure, backed-up location
• Consider having evidence notarized or using a preservation service for legal proceedings

Important: Do not delete any communications with the perpetrator, even if they're upsetting. These messages are critical evidence.

Step 2: File the Police Report

Where to File

You can generally file a report with your local police department. In some cases, you may want to file in the jurisdiction where the perpetrator lives, where the images were posted from, or where the harm occurred—any of these may have jurisdiction.

What to Say

When you contact police, be clear about what happened:

1. State that someone has distributed your intimate images without your consent
2. Reference your state's revenge porn / non-consensual intimate imagery law by name if you know it
3. Provide the evidence you've gathered
4. Give a clear timeline of events
5. Identify the perpetrator if known, or describe what you know
6. Mention any threats or ongoing harassment

What to Expect

The experience varies by department. Some officers are well-trained in handling these cases; others may be less familiar. Be prepared for:

• An intake officer taking your initial report
• Being asked detailed questions about the images and your relationship with the suspect
• A case number being assigned (always get this—you'll need it)
• Possible referral to a detective or specialized unit
• The process taking time—investigations aren't instant

Step 3: Navigating State Law Differences

Laws vary significantly by state. Key differences include:

• Classification: Some states treat it as a misdemeanor, others as a felony (especially for repeat offenders or when minors are involved)
• Intent requirement: Some states require proof that the person intended to cause harm; others don't
• Relationship requirement: Some laws only cover images shared within certain relationship contexts
• AI coverage: Newer laws include AI-generated deepfakes; older statutes may not

If you're unsure about your state's specific law, the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative maintains an up-to-date database of state laws at cybercivilrights.org.

Federal Options: FBI IC3 for Sextortion

If you're being extorted with intimate images—someone demanding money, more images, or sexual acts in exchange for not releasing your content—this is sextortion, and it's a federal crime. Report it to:

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): File at ic3.gov. This is especially important for cases involving someone in another state or country.
• FBI local field office: For active, urgent sextortion situations where you're receiving ongoing threats
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): If the victim is a minor, report through CyberTipline.org

Working with a Victim Advocate

Many prosecutors' offices and nonprofit organizations provide victim advocates who can:

• Accompany you when filing a police report
• Explain the legal process and what to expect at each stage
• Help you obtain a protective order against the perpetrator
• Connect you with counseling and support resources
• Communicate with law enforcement on your behalf

The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative helpline (844-878-CCRI) can connect you with victim advocates and legal resources specific to your state.

While the Investigation Proceeds

Criminal investigations take time. While waiting for law enforcement, you can simultaneously take steps to get the content removed:

• File DMCA takedowns with websites hosting your content
• Use Google's NCII removal tool to delist from search results
• Report to platforms using their non-consensual imagery policies
• Use StopNCII.org to create hashes that platforms detect automatically
• Document any new instances that appear

Content removal and criminal reporting are separate processes—pursuing one doesn't prevent or interfere with the other.