Technology can empower us—but it can also be misused to cause harm. From nonconsensual photo sharing and sextortion to AI-generated deepfakes and online grooming, tech-enabled sexual abuse is a growing threat.
If you or someone you care about has been harmed through technology-based abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Whether you want support, want the abuse to stop, or are ready to report the crime, you deserve to be believed—and you deserve justice.
What Is Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse?
Tech-enabled sexual abuse includes any sexual violence or exploitation facilitated by digital platforms, devices, or networks. It may include:
- Nonconsensual sharing of explicit images or videos (NCII)
- AI-generated sexual deepfakes
- Sextortion or online blackmail
- Cyberstalking and GPS tracking
- Online grooming and manipulation
- Distribution or possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
Tech-enabled sexual abuse can happen on social media, messaging apps, school platforms, gaming networks, and even shared cloud drives. Many forms of tech-enabled sexual abuse are crimes under U.S. law.
Steps To Take If You’re Being Harmed Online
1. Preserve the Evidence
Your first instinct might be to delete harmful content—but if it’s safe, preserve what you can.
- Take screenshots of messages, images, or posts
- Record URLs, usernames, time stamps, and locations
- Save voicemails, texts, or emails that demonstrate abuse
This evidence can help law enforcement, platforms, and courts take action.
2. ALWAYS Report Child Sexual Exploitation—Immediately
If you discover child sexual abuse material—or suspect a child is being groomed, exploited, or threatened—report it right away. Your report could stop the abuse, protect a child, and lead to an arrest.
Three ways to report child sexual abuse and exploitation:
- CyberTipline (NCMEC)
1-800-843-5678
report.cybertip.org
- Know2Protect Tipline (DHS)
1-833-591-KNOW (5669)
All reports are reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
- In an emergency:
Call 911 or your local police
When To Report
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you should file a report when someone:
- Harasses a child online or makes them feel unsafe
- Pressures a child to send explicit images or appear on camera
- Threatens to share existing images unless they send more
- Creates, distributes, or possesses CSAM
Even if you’re not sure—report. You can remain anonymous.
3. Report the Abuse to the Platform
Social media, messaging apps, and websites often allow you to report harmful content directly. Use these tools to flag both the user and the content.
- Tap the “…” or “report” option near the post or message
- Include screenshots, usernames, and URLs if allowed
- Follow up to ensure removal if the content isn’t taken down promptly
Under the TAKE IT DOWN Act, platforms must remove NCII and CSAM within 48 hours of a verified request.
4. Understand the Reporting Process
When a report is submitted, agencies like DHS, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may become involved. DHS outlines the process this way:
- The incident occurs
- You report it (via Know2Protect, CyberTipline, or 911)
- The report is evaluated and assigned
- Investigators gather information and collect evidence
- If there is enough evidence, an arrest may be made
Law enforcement may contact you for more information and collect digital devices as part of their investigation. They follow strict procedures to protect your privacy and preserve evidence properly.
In some cases, tech companies also flag abusive content and refer it to law enforcement.
What To Expect When Reporting to Law Enforcement
Less than 3% of perpetrators are ever convicted and imprisoned for sex-based crimes—but that does not mean you shouldn’t report to the police. Reporting can help law enforcement track a crime’s prevalence and alert them to an offender’s presence in their jurisdiction.
“If you decide to report the sexual violence you experienced, you have to prepare yourself,” said C. Kimberly Toms, who experienced rape, stalking, and tech-enabled sexual abuse. “You have to go into it knowing it’s war.”
Samantha also survived sexual assault and tech-enabled sexual abuse. Now a practicing attorney, she shared, “In my experience, even well-intentioned law enforcement officers often lack the training and expertise to handle these cases properly.”
If You Don’t Receive Adequate Support from Law Enforcement…
Talk with an attorney. A lawyer can help you understand whether a crime has occurred and if a criminal or civil case is possible. Ask the attorney if you can use the evidence you collected to gain an order of protection that covers social media and other digital platforms.
Special Reporting Considerations
At School
If you’re a student and another student, teacher, or administrator is responsible for the abuse, report it to your school’s Title IX office or another trusted adult. Under Title IX, you have the right to:
- Academic accommodations
- Safety planning
- Counseling or advocacy
“I was just finishing my junior year of college when I was assaulted in 2015. I did finish school—but only by the grace of Title IX and my university’s protection. They really went above and beyond, and it’s the only reason I was able to finish college.”
– Samantha, survivor
At Work
Tech-enabled sexual abuse at work—including harassment through email, messaging apps, or professional networks—may qualify as sexual harassment and violate the law.
- Report to your HR department
- File a charge with the EEOC
- Submit a tip to the FBI if threats, stalking, or extortion are involved
Emotional Impact: You Deserve Support
Viewing or experiencing tech-enabled sexual abuse can lead to fear, shame, anger, anxiety, or depression. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, help is available.
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Call or text 988
- 988lifeline.org
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español.
You Are Not Alone
You are not to blame for what happened. Whether you’re a survivor or a loved one supporting someone through it, there are tools, resources, and people ready to help.
Together, we can build a future where everyone feels safe online.
Last updated: July 17, 2025