Sharing of intimate images

The sharing of intimate images, commonly referred to as ‘sexting’, is the act of taking sexually explicit images or videos and distributing the material to partners, friends or anyone else via mobile phone or any other communication method.

Once an intimate image is transmitted, the owner of the image or anyone else depicted in the image loses control of it. This means that the recipient of the image, or a person who has accessed the image through other means such as computer hacking, could further distribute the image or upload it to a public forum without the owner’s consent. 

In some cases, recipients of the image might use blackmail for further images or for money by threatening to publicly post the already received image. This can happen to anyone, regardless of the relationship to the recipient.

In Queensland, it is a criminal offence if a person shares an intimate image of another person without their consent in a way that would reasonably cause them distress. It is also illegal if a person threatens to share an intimate image without the person’s consent in a way that would cause them fear of the threat being carried out. This applies whether a person threatens the person depicted in the intimate image, or anyone else. This offence applies even if the image does not exist.

For more information regarding the sharing of intimate images, refer to the Queensland Government's information on image-based abuse.

How to seek help

If someone has shared an intimate image or video of you, or has threatened to share an intimate image, you can:

• Report it to your nearest police station
• Where images have been uploaded online, contact the Office of the e-Safety Commissioner and seek advice on techniques and strategies to remove the images
• Seek support services who can provide you with immediate and ongoing assistance. Counselling and support is available from:
  • The Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 if you are under 25
  • Lifeline on 13 11 14.
  • Sexual assault and abuse support services.