Teens who see nude photos of themselves online have been given a new option to take those images offline. The ‘Take it Down’ tool allows photos to be removed from social media on their demand
After ending their relationship, he sends the sex video to several friends as revenge
About seven years ago, Zuellen Rodrigues (25) experienced something terrible. Her then boyfriend turns out to have secretly filmed her during sex. After ending their relationship, he sends the sex video to several friends as revenge. He also threatens her: she must send a nude photo, otherwise the images will be spread further. When Zuellen sends the photo, both the photo and the video come online, much to her horror.
And that has a huge impact. “I didn’t dare tell anyone at first and then I lost everyone around me,” she sighs. “In the end I attempted suicide. At one point I was standing on top of the edge of a building, on the tenth floor. When I wanted to jump, someone saw me and grabbed me. This person saved me.”
It should be clear: the distribution of online nude images does a lot to victims. That is why the American National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has developed a new tool to remove those images. Anyone can submit photos anonymously via the website and everything with minors will be removed.
Zuellen reacts cautiously positively to this. “In my day, these opportunities were much less. I really had no idea what to do about it. Now I would know.”
Victim Support Netherlands agrees. “It has so far been quite difficult for consumers to have nude photos taken offline by approaching social media companies themselves, which often took a long time.”
‘As a victim, the feeling that you can still exercise a little power with this’
The Online Child Abuse Expertise Office (EOKM) is also reasonably positive. “It is good that action can be taken before photos come online. Because if a photo is in the database, that nude photo cannot be put online again.”
Sexting expert Francien Regelink is also happy. “Although the damage has already been done, as a victim you get the feeling that you can still exercise a little power with this. You can have a photo removed yourself.”
Statistics Netherlands figures show that the problem is increasing. In 2022, more than 6 percent of Dutch people aged 16 and over indicated that they had experienced online sexual harassment (just under a million people). In 2020, it was just over 5 percent. According to Victim Support, it often involves extortion and bullying.
However, there are still limitations to Take it Down. For example, it currently only works with images posted on social media such as Facebook and Instagram and with the platforms OnlyFans, Pornhub and Yubo. They cannot be removed from Twitter, TikTok and WhatsApp.
‘I was always afraid that my photos would turn up again’
And if an image is edited, it will not be recognized by the program. “The person who wants to put the photo online can always give the original a different color or reduce it slightly,” notes the EOKM. “Then all those photos still come online because they are no longer recognized as ‘wrong’.”
That worries Zuellen. “I was always afraid that my photos would turn up again. As a victim you just want to make sure that those photos are gone.”
Victims can also report to Helpwanted.nl and the Meldpunt Kinderporno. “Social media and platforms then receive a notification, after which it is often quickly gone,” says the EOKM. “Except, for example, if we have to deal with more difficult sites abroad.”
According to Regelink, however, the main advantage of Take it Down is that it is even more accessible. “Victims do not have to approach large authorities for this and can immediately upload photos.”
Although the tool can certainly help, according to experts, people’s behavior is also crucial, say EOKM and Victim Support. “Do not forward photos if you receive them,” says the EOKM. “If a photo goes viral, it can be shared millions of times.”
‘Victims blame themselves and don’t dare to seek help’
In addition, the authorities advise victims to tell their story. “It is difficult, because there is often shame,” reports Victim Support. “Victims blame themselves and do not dare to seek help. But it really helps to step over the threshold. You do not have to be ashamed. And vice versa: as a listener, refrain from the negative reaction when you hear the story from someone. Don’t say ‘how stupid can you be’, but ‘what the hell, what can I do for you now?’”
Zuellen has now really come out of her slump. “Sometimes I still have a bit of distrust towards people. Even in an intimate setting I am still wary, for example I wonder if there is no filming going on. But now I feel strong again.”