Revenge porn victim:
As it’s revealed calls to report this disturbing abuse have doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic and Billie Piper’s new drama, I Hate Suzie, shines a light on its devastating effects, Closer speaks to victims who want to stop others from suffering the sam
“It was the darkest time of my life – I didn’t think I’d survive it”
When Courtney Owen sent intimate pictures to her thenboyfriend, she assumed they’d remain private. But after they broke up, the images were shared online, and Courtney became the victim of revenge porn – the sharing of photos or videos of another person without their consent and with the purpose of causing embarrassment or distress.
BETRAYED
Courtney, now 24, from South Wales, is a single mum to
Ben*, two. She says, “It was the darkest time of my life. I didn’t think I’d survive it.
“All I did was share pictures of myself with someone I cared for and trusted. He betrayed me in the worst way.”
Sadly, Courtney’s story isn’t unusual. The Revenge Porn Helpline noted a doubling of calls every month during lockdown – and they’ve already had more calls this year than they did in the whole of last year. Police have also reported that investigations into the crime have more than doubled since 2015, up from 852 to 1,853 in 2019.
Sophie Mortimer, from Revenge Porn Helpline, says, “This crime is becoming more prevalent. In lockdown, people used social media more, but also problems in relationships were highlighted and revenge porn is often a form of domestic abuse and a symptom of a controlling relationship.”
New drama I Hate Suzie, starring Billie Piper, explores the devastating effect the sharing of intimate images can have. And Love Island star Zara McDermott, 23, who has also been a victim of revenge porn, is working with the BBC to produce a documentary about her experiences. She says, “My main aim is to bring awareness to this issue and be a voice for those who have suffered in silence and to help make a change.”
Sophie Mortimer adds,
“The level of distress caused shouldn’t be underestimated. We are frequently hearing from people contemplating suicide or self-harm because they are so ashamed.”
Tragically, in May 2019, Spanish mum-of-two Veronica Rubio took her own life, aged
32, after a jealous ex shared a sex tape with her work colleagues.
But despite the devastating consequences of revenge porn, it’s rare to get a conviction, as it’s so hard to prove that there was intent to cause embarrassment or distress. In 2018, just one in 20 cases ended with a conviction.
For Courtney, sharing intimate images with her thenboyfriend almost ruined her life.
She says, “Callum and I met online. When we were apart, we sent each other naughty pictures. He always instigated it, but it was just a bit of fun and I trusted him.
“But in March 2017, a colleague in the call centre where I worked told me he’d seen Callum with another girl – and that she was pregnant.
“After asking around, I found out her name was Serah and messaged her on Facebook. I thought that if she was carrying his baby, she deserved to know he was seeing other women. She didn’t reply, but soon after I got a message from Callum, saying, ‘Watch your pics go everywhere slut.’ I felt sick.”
SUICIDAL
The next day, 24 naked photos of Courtney were posted on Facebook by Serah – photos that Callum had given her – and hundreds of people had been tagged in the images, including Courtney’s family and friends
She says, “When I saw them, I thought I was going to pass out. One of the worst moments of my life was when my dad called. He’d been sent the pictures and was so upset and disappointed.
“I couldn’t sleep or eat. I was crippled with anxiety. Every time I went out, I felt like I was being stared at. I was signed off work for four months, but I knew I could never go back. My colleagues had seen the pictures and I couldn’t face them. I got so
I COULDN’T SLEEP OR EAT – I WAS CRIPPLED WITH ANXIETY
low, I attempted to take my life.”
Courtney reported the offence to the police and, five months after the graphic photos were posted, Callum and Serah were convicted of disclosing a sexual photograph or film without the consent of the person who appeared in it. They were sentenced to six weeks detention suspended for 12 months, and given a restraining order.
Courtney says, “I was pleased they hadn’t got away with it completely, but my life was in tatters. I knew the only way
I was going to be able to move on was to leave Cardiff, so I moved 40 minutes away, where I knew no one, to start again.
“Now, I’m a single mum to Ben, who is my world, and I’ve put what happened behind me. I’m sharing my story to warn others about sharing images. It may seem like a bit of fun, but it can become something really serious. It’s worrying that revenge porn crimes are on the rise. People need to stop and think before sending anything. I really wish I had thought about the consequences.”
By Mel Fallowfield and
Amy Rowland