Sharing nudes, live streaming, sextortion and image-based harm

Requests for sexual images, pressure to live-stream or threats to share intimate content are safeguarding concerns. UKCIS guidance treats incidents involving nudes and semi-nudes as safeguarding matters, with the child's welfare as the priority.

Children may send images because they were pressured, groomed, tricked or threatened, to try to maintain a relationship, or to limit humiliation. Staff should avoid language that implies blame and must not copy or forward indecent images except where a lawful safeguarding or police process requires it.

Safer frontline response

• Stay calm: panic increases the child's fear and secrecy.
• Do not blame: supportive responses are more effective than moralising.
• Think safeguarding first: consider coercion, age difference and threats.
• Use proper reporting routes: inform the manager, police, CEOP, platform reporting and any local routes required.
• Record decisions carefully: note what was reported, what was seen and confirm images were not copied.

Manager focus: image handling

When a child is being threatened with images, the urgent task is protection, not lecture.