A HOTLINE for 'revenge porn' victims has been swamped by hundreds of calls for help during the coronavirus lockdown, it was revealed yesterday.

Complaints about jilted lovers posting sexually-explicit photos or videos of their exes online nearly doubled in the week after the nation was told to stay at home.

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Experts blame the rise on a toxic mix of increased use of the internet and social media along with heightened emotions during lockdown.

Staff manning a government-funded service say they have experienced a surge in calls from adults asking them to help get intimate image abuse removed.

And they opened more cases in the following four weeks than in any previous spell.

The Revenge Porn Hotline was set up after The Sun on Sunday campaigned to outlaw revenge porn, following an alarming rise in the crime.

In 2015 it was made an offence for jilted lovers to disclose private sexual images without consent and carries a maximum sentence of two years’ jail.

Campaigners are demanding extra funding for the helpline, which has only two full-time members of staff, to help it cope with the rising workload.

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Sophie Mortimer, manager of the Revenge Porn Helpline, said that over half of the cases since lockdown clearly originated in an 'abusive or controlling relationship'.

She added: 'The level of distress caused shouldn’t be underestimated. We are frequently hearing from people seeking our help that they are contemplating suicide or self-harm, the impact of the abuse seems so overwhelming.'

Intimate image abuse – or the threat of it – is one way an abuser can still impose control even if they are not isolating with their partner or ex-partner.

The Revenge Porn Helpline opened more than 200 cases in the four weeks from March 23.Last week it dealt with morethan in any week since 2015, when it was launched.
Charities fear one effect of the lockdown will be an increase in 'sexting' from couples who are not isolating together, which also increases the chance of intimate image abuse.

The Revenge Porn Helpline said: 'The helpline is busier than it has ever been but the service is very much open to offer help, advice and support.'

The Home Office urged victims of intimate image abuse to report it to the police.

A spokesman said: 'We already provide funding to the National Revenge Porn Helpline and we are in close contact with charities to ensure they bid for the £750m in support announced for the charity sector.'

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