Someone is threatening to share my intimate image
RainLily provides companion for immediate and follow-up medico-legal procedures support, contact RainLily Helpline 2375 5322 for more or request RainLily services at A&E. All information is kept strictly confidential.
Stay calm
Don’t immediately comply with the perpetrator’s demands out of fear.
Stay calm. If you aren’t sure how to respond, refrain from doing anything.
Remember, it’s not your fault that sexual violence took place. Don’t blame yourself and don’t overwhelm yourself with guiltiness.
Retain evidence
If the perpetrator threatens to distribute your intimate images through phone, email or other communication applications (such as WhatsApp / Facebook / Instagram), you may keep a record of the conversation content or phone call recording, or keep the relevant threat messages through screenshot for future investigation purpose.
We understand that many victims may choose to immediately delete the conversation records and/or the intimate images out of embarrassment. To avoid triggering more negative emotions, we suggest that after taking a screenshot of the relevant messages, victims shall store the record in a less-frequently used computer file but not on their mobile phones.
Warn the perpetrator off further actions
To prevent further actions by the perpetrator, warn the perpetrator that he/she may have already violated the relevant laws, such as blackmail or criminal intimidation. Learn more about existing law
Seek help from professional organisations
It’s not your fault to have experienced sexual violence. We encourage you to recover from the trauma with accompaniment. When necessary, contact RainLily for counselling and other supportive services.
Seek legal advice
Before taking any legal actions, consider seeking legal advice to learn about your legal rights.
RainLily provides free legal consultation to all victim-survivors, including survivors of sexual violence and image-based sexual violence. Through face-to-face consultation with pro-bono lawyers, you can learn more about the laws and your legal rights.
If there is a need to bargain with the perpetrator
Discuss with and seek help from professional organisation(s) before any negotiation.
Choose to communicate with the perpetrator over the phone, instead of face-to-face communication.
Avoid meeting the perpetrator alone if face-to-face communication is inevitable. Involve your relatives or friends whenever possible and try to meet the perpetrator in a public place.
If you are meeting the perpetrator alone, give the address of the meeting location to someone you trust beforehand. Set a time to check in with your friend/relative and agree on follow-up actions in case you cannot be reached.
Try to use a gentle tone and stay clam during the course of negotiation. Avoid resorting to provocative actions or words. To gather evidence, try to record the process using a recorder or mobile phone.
