Women who report the non-consensual sharing of intimate images are being systematically failed by both law enforcement and technology companies, according to a new report that documents a pattern of dismissive responses and inadequate support. The findings, based on interviews with victims and advocacy groups, describe a system in which complaints are not taken seriously and responsibility is routinely deflected onto the very platforms that host the abuse.
One case highlighted in the report illustrates the problem. A woman, identified only as Jane, discovered that intimate photographs of her had been posted on a website without her consent. She contacted the police expecting an investigation. Instead, officers warned her that researching where her images had been shared might itself put her at risk of breaking the law. She was given a leaflet on internet safety and advised to approach the technology companies directly for help, but was told to expect little from them. The case was then closed.
The report argues that this response is not an isolated failure but part of a broader pattern. Women who experience online abuse — including the sharing of intimate images, stalking, and harassment — frequently find that their complaints are not treated as serious crimes. Police forces often lack the training or resources to investigate digital offences, and victims are left to navigate complex reporting systems on their own. When they do turn to social media platforms, they encounter slow or automated responses, inconsistent content moderation, and a lack of meaningful accountability for those who upload the material.
Advocacy groups say the current approach places an unfair burden on victims, who are expected to act as their own investigators while simultaneously being warned that doing so could expose them to legal risk. The report calls for clearer legal protections for victims who attempt to trace the distribution of their images, as well as mandatory training for police officers on online abuse and stronger obligations for technology companies to remove non-consensual content swiftly.
The findings come amid growing concern about the scale of image-based abuse in the UK and internationally. Campaigners have long argued that the law has not kept pace with technology, leaving victims with few effective remedies. While some platforms have introduced reporting tools and dedicated support channels, critics say these measures are often under-resourced and fail to address the speed at which abusive content spreads.
The report also highlights the emotional and psychological toll on women who are forced to relive their trauma each time they engage with police or platform moderators. Many describe feeling re-victimised by a system that treats their complaints as a low priority. The lack of a coordinated response between law enforcement and technology companies means that cases frequently fall between the gaps, with neither side taking full responsibility.
In response to the report, campaigners are urging the government to introduce statutory guidance for police forces on handling non-consensual intimate image cases, and to impose tougher penalties on platforms that fail to act on reports of abuse. They argue that without meaningful reform, women will continue to be left to fend for themselves in an environment where their most private moments can be shared without consequence.
The report’s authors stress that the problem is not merely technical but cultural, reflecting wider attitudes that trivialise online abuse and shift blame onto victims. They call for a fundamental shift in how such cases are handled, from the moment a report is made to the removal of content and the prosecution of perpetrators. Until then, they warn, women like Jane will continue to be told that the law cannot help them and that the companies profiting from their images owe them nothing.