Revenge porn: Victim support in NI ‘not good enough’

The helpline’s researchers use “reverse image searches and facial recognition” to identify content on behalf of victims, Ms Mortimer said.

They then approach platforms to ask them to remove the images.

Hotline.ie helps victims in the Republic of Ireland, however no equivalent service receives funding in Northern Ireland.

Without support victims must manually search the internet using reverse image tools and scanning social media, forums, and websites themselves.

That involves filing separate reports for each image, on each platform often without assurance of swift removal or meaningful support.

While the helpline said it wouldn’t turn victims in Northern Ireland away, it stressed that resources would have to be prioritised towards cases in England, Scotland and Wales where it is actually funded to help.

In a statement, the DoJ said: “Residents of Northern Ireland can avail of the support services of the Revenge Porn Helpline or visit their website.

“The department is fully engaged with the Revenge Porn Helpline to explore options available to formally extend and promote its service to Northern Ireland.”

Hunter said the lack of funding for a content removal services was “part of the problem”.

“A lot of revenge porn is undeniably linked with misogyny and I think it’s really important that we speak more about tech-facilitated abuse”.