Image-based abuse and the eSafety Commissioner
Key facts
| Who helps with removal | The eSafety Commissioner |
|---|---|
| Threats or extortion | Report to police through ReportCyber |
| Support | 1800RESPECT has information on image-based abuse |
| Emergency | Call 000 |
Image-based abuse includes sharing intimate images without consent and threatening to share them for money or more images. It is not your fault. These are the places that can help.
Report the images to eSafety
The eSafety Commissioner runs a reporting scheme for image-based abuse and can work to get intimate images removed. Report as soon as you can.
Source: eSafety Commissioner: Report image-based abuse, checked 8 November 2026
If you are being blackmailed
eSafety has step-by-step advice for dealing with sexual extortion. Stop contact, do not pay, and keep screenshots of the messages and accounts.
Source: eSafety Commissioner: Dealing with sexual extortion, checked 8 November 2026
Tell police
Scamwatch says to make a police report for cybercrime, including extortion, through cyber.gov.au. Victoria Police also points people to eSafety for image-based abuse.
Source: Scamwatch: Report a scam, checked 8 November 2026
Questions
Should I pay someone threatening to share my images?
No. Paying rarely ends it. Stop contact, keep the evidence and report it.
Can eSafety get images taken down?
eSafety runs a reporting and removal scheme for image-based abuse and can act on reports.
Is it my fault?
No. The person sharing or threatening is the one doing wrong.
Read next
Our sister site Smooch covers dating across Australia. WhichDating, our sister review site, has a guide to first date tips.