Intimate images shared or threatened

Sharing intimate images of someone without their consent is a crime in New Zealand. So is threatening to, as part of extortion. If it’s happening to you, you have done nothing wrong, and there is help that works.

If someone is demanding money or more images

This is often called sextortion. It frequently starts with someone you met online who quickly moves to private messages, and it is commonly run by organised overseas groups. Young men and teenage boys are frequent targets.

1. Don’t pay, and don’t send anything more. Payment almost never ends it. It tells them you’ll pay again.
2. Stop responding, but keep the conversation. Screenshot the messages, the account name and profile, and any payment details they’ve given.
3. Report the account on the platform, then block it.
4. Contact Netsafe on 0508 638 723 or at netsafe.org.nz/report. Netsafe handles these cases constantly and can work with platforms to remove content.
5. Contact Police on 105, or 111 if you’re in danger.

Many threats are never carried out once the person stops getting replies. If images are posted, the steps below still apply.

If images have been shared

1. Capture evidence of where they appear, with screenshots and web addresses.
2. Report each post to the platform as non-consensual intimate imagery. Every major platform prohibits it.
3. Tell Netsafe. Under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, Netsafe can work with hosts to get content removed, including on sites outside New Zealand.
4. Tell Police. Posting an intimate visual recording without consent is an offence, separate from the general harmful communications offence.

Stop the images spreading

If you’re 18 or over: StopNCII.org creates a digital fingerprint (a hash) of an image on your own device. The image itself isn’t uploaded. Participating platforms use the fingerprint to detect and block copies.

If the images were taken when you were under 18: use Take It Down, run by the US National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. It works the same way, and it’s for anyone whose images were taken before they turned 18, including adults now.

These tools only work with platforms that take part, so keep reporting elsewhere too.

If you’re under 18

Tell an adult you trust, such as a parent, a teacher, a school counsellor, an aunty or uncle. You won’t be in trouble. The person who is threatening you is the one breaking the law. Netsafe and Police help young people with this every week, and they’ll treat you with respect.

If you’re a parent and your child tells you, stay calm and thank them for telling you. Your reaction decides whether they come to you next time. Then follow the steps above together.

The court route

If the person is known to you and won’t stop, you can also seek a District Court order under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, after complaining to Netsafe. See online harassment and the HDCA for how that works.

Support

This can be deeply distressing. Safe to talk is free and open 24 hours for anyone affected by sexual harm. Call 0800 044 334 or text 4334. You can also call or text 1737.