Learning that you or your child has been the target of sexual abuse—especially when the abuse was recorded or shared—can be overwhelming. You may feel shocked, angry, ashamed, or helpless.
Know that you are not alone. Help is available, and healing is possible.
Save This Critical Information
| Report | Support |
|---|---|
| CyberTipline Report CSAM & Child Sexual Exploitation The CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized system for reporting suspected child sexual exploitation. CyberTipline.org 1-800-843-5678 (24/7 hotline) You can report anonymously. | RAINN Get Support & Guidance RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) Chat at hotline.RAINN.org Text HOPE to 64673 All conversations are anonymous. |
Call 9-1-1 if a child is in immediate danger.
If you believe a child is being actively abused, groomed, or trafficked—don’t wait. Call your local authorities or 911 immediately.
How To Report CSAM & Child Sexual Exploitation
If you encounter child sexual abuse material—online or offline—reporting it is one of the most powerful things you can do. Your report could lead to the rescue of a child, the arrest of a perpetrator, and the removal of abusive content.
Here’s how to report CSAM safely and effectively:
1. Preserve Evidence
This information can help law enforcement:
- Copy/paste or screenshot the URL where the content is located
- Save any messages related to the abuse
- Log the usernames of anyone sharing CSAM
2. Report to the CyberTipline
The CyberTipline, operated by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), is the nation’s centralized system for reporting suspected child sexual exploitation.
You can report:
- CSAM found online (images, videos, livestreams)
- Sextortion or grooming behavior
- Adults asking minors for explicit content
- Any suspicious interaction involving a child and sexually explicit material
3. Notify the Platform
Platforms are legally required to report suspected CSAM to NCMEC’s CyberTipline. If you found CSAM on a public website, app, or social media platform:
- Use the platform’s built-in report function (often accessible through “…” menus or flag icons)
- Report the user profile as well as the specific content
- Include screenshots of usernames, URLs, and timestamps if legally allowed to do so
Know the Law
The TAKE IT DOWN Act makes it a federal crime to knowingly share or threaten to share nonconsensual intimate images (NCII) such as CSAM—including AI-generated deepfakes. The law requires platforms to remove NCII and CSAM within 48 hours of a survivor’s verified request.
Learn More
4. Seek Support After Seeing CSAM
If you’re feeling distressed after seeing CSAM, you’re not alone. The emotional impact is real and valid. Reach out to RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline for confidential 24/7 support and guidance.
If Your Child Was Exploited
- Stay calm and present. Your reaction matters. Children look to you for cues about whether they are safe. Avoid judgment or panic.
- Tell them it’s not their fault. Say it clearly and often. Children who have been manipulated or coerced into sending images may feel shame or fear—even though the abuse was never their fault.
- Avoid asking “why” questions. Instead, focus on listening, comforting, and offering choices for how to move forward.
- Report the abuse to the CyberTipline. You may file your report anonymously. It will be reviewed and forwarded to law enforcement in the proper jurisdiction.
- Seek trauma-informed support from RAINN. RAINN’s trained support specialists are on hand to help you with next steps.
Redefining Resilience:
RAINN’s Learning Series for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
A healing learning series that helps survivors of Child Sexual Assault understand trauma, move past shame, disclose to loved ones, manage memories, and form trusting intimate relationships.
If You Survived Child Sexual Abuse or CSAM
You may be dealing with pain you’ve carried for years or a recent discovery that images of your abuse still exist. Whether your abuse was recorded, distributed, or manipulated into something new—you deserve support.
- You are not to blame. No matter what was said to you. No matter what you were made to do.
- You get to decide how and when you heal. Support groups, therapy, art, movement—there’s no one path, and there’s no deadline.
- You don’t need to carry it alone. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7.