Somebody has indecent photos of me that I want to be deleted. Where do I stand legally?

[Patxo]

Hundreds of pictures accumulated over a period of years. I consented to these photos at the time but no longer feel comfortable with their existence as I was in a vulnerable place for the most part.

I want him to delete them as my face is visible in most and I'm concerned about the potential for them being leaked or shown to people at some point as this person knows my personal information.

It's not an ex per se, I was a sex worker unfortunately.

Do I have a leg to stand on legally if I instruct him to delete them? Can he refuse?

I was only 19 when it all began and I feel sick to the stomach knowing those photos exist. I just want it all to go away.

oh sweetheart this is rubbish. I've been there too - my ex had some that he kept using to threaten me with.

I sent him a clear message - I no longer give my consent for you having these pictures and I want you to delete them.

He didn't and they ended up being posted on social media. At that point I contacted the police - they went round and had a quiet word, he then posted them again so I let them know...it was all dealt with professionally and with sensitivity.

As far as I'm aware, as you are now withdrawing your consent, he should delete them.

I would highly recommend contacting the revenge porn helpline - they were amazing in their support and action to me.

@Tiger2018

oh sweetheart this is rubbish. I've been there too - my ex had some that he kept using to threaten me with.

I sent him a clear message - I no longer give my consent for you having these pictures and I want you to delete them.

He didn't and they ended up being posted on social media. At that point I contacted the police - they went round and had a quiet word, he then posted them again so I let them know...it was all dealt with professionally and with sensitivity.

As far as I'm aware, as you are now withdrawing your consent, he should delete them.

I would highly recommend contacting the revenge porn helpline - they were amazing in their support and action to me.

very good wise advice...

I do hope this is resolved OP.. try to stay strong and sending support 🌸

If you look up Project SPITE they provide free legal advice in these kinds of situations. Good luck.

Thank you for the replies and advice

He hasn't threatened to post them anywhere and I'm sure he would protest that he'd never do such a thing, there has just been some red flags that have given me cause for concern that he might do that if he feels disgruntled and I want to make sure, as best I can, that he doesn't.

I'm so sorry that happened to you Tiger, what a horrible git somebody must be to do something like that. I'm pleased that the police acted on your behalf.

What I would do then is ask him firmly but politely to get rid of the images as you not longer give your consent for him having them - hopefully job done.

Yep the ex did act like a complete dick, but as I say, the helpline and police were amazing. And I learnt a valuable lesson about not sharing intimate images that could end up in the wrong hands.

You can’t force him to delete them. (How would you ever know?) You can send him a message asking him to delete the photos and making it clear you did not and do not give your consent for him to share those photos. So-called “revenge porn”, or the sharing of explicit or sexual images or videos without the consent of the person in the image is an offence and could be reported if the photos ever made it anywhere public.