Sextortion and online blackmail
You're not alone. There are pathways.
Sextortion and image-based abuse are widespread crimes in Australia, and they have real, formal pathways for response. Read the urgent help options below first, then get in touch when you're ready.
Urgent help first
Before anything else, these are the people to contact
000: immediate physical danger
If you or someone else is in immediate physical danger, call 000. This includes credible threats of harm to you or family members.
eSafety Commissioner: image-based abuse
esafety.gov.au has a dedicated image-based abuse reporting pathway. They can issue formal removal notices to platforms. Free and confidential.
esafety.gov.auAustralian Federal Police: cybercrime
Report online extortion and sextortion at ReportCyber. The AFP treats these crimes seriously and confidentially.
cyber.gov.auLifeline: crisis support
If you're feeling overwhelmed or in crisis, Lifeline offers 24/7 free crisis support on 13 11 14.
StopNCII.org: prevent re-uploads
StopNCII.org creates a digital hash of intimate images you submit, so participating platforms (including Meta, TikTok, Bumble, Reddit) can block re-uploads without you sharing the image.
stopncii.orgORMA isn't a substitute for any of the above. We coordinate the platform takedowns and search-result work alongside them, not instead of them.
How we help
What ORMA actually does in these matters
We don't replace police, eSafety, or your lawyer. We coordinate the platform-side work and manage search-result exposure while takedowns process. See our step-by-step process for a fuller view of how engagements work.
Platform takedown coordination
Work the formal NCII and image-based-abuse reporting pathways across Meta, X/Twitter, Google, TikTok, Reddit, and adult-content platforms. eSafety notices in parallel where relevant.
Search-result management
While takedowns process, content can still surface on Google. We work to reduce visibility on branded searches for your name during the active phase.
Re-upload monitoring
Continuous monitoring for the content reappearing on new platforms or as fresh uploads. Address each occurrence as it surfaces.
Coordinated with counsel and law enforcement
Work alongside your lawyer (where engaged) and police investigators. Share platform-side progress to support the wider investigation.
Process
From assessment to outcome
Every matter starts with a confidential free assessment. Within one business day you have a clear view of platform pathways and what we can coordinate alongside your other steps.
Confidential assessment
Send us the platforms and URLs (not the content itself). Within 24 hours we outline the realistic options.
Tailored strategy
Multi-platform takedown plan, search-result management, coordination with eSafety and law enforcement where relevant.
Action
Platform requests, eSafety coordination, monitoring, suppression. All worked in parallel.
Ongoing monitoring
Continue monitoring for new uploads. Re-issue takedown requests as content surfaces on new surfaces.
While takedowns process
Manage search visibility during the active phase
Platform takedowns take time. While they process, related content can still surface on branded searches for your name. We work to reduce that visibility during the active phase and continue once primary removals complete.
Popular questions
Common questions
If your question isn't here, ask us during the free assessment.
Should I pay the extortion demand?
No. Paying rarely makes the threat stop. Extortionists usually return with further demands once they know you'll pay. The pathway is reporting (police, eSafety, the platform) and removing the content. We don't negotiate with extortionists; we coordinate with law enforcement and platforms on the takedown pathway.
Will reporting to police make the situation public?
Police reports relating to sextortion and image-based abuse are confidential. The AFP and state police treat these matters seriously and discreetly. Reporting to eSafety is also confidential and doesn't make the matter public.
Can the images actually be removed from the internet?
Often yes. Image-based abuse has dedicated takedown pathways under Australian law (the Online Safety Act 2021) and under platform policies. eSafety can issue formal removal notices to platforms. Major platforms (Meta, X, Google, TikTok) have specific NCII reporting pathways. We coordinate the platform-side work and search-result management. Complete removal across every copy on the internet isn't always achievable, but the most-trafficked surfaces usually can be.
What if the images are already on multiple sites?
Each platform has its own removal pathway. eSafety can issue formal notices across multiple platforms simultaneously. Tools like StopNCII.org can prevent re-uploads across participating platforms by creating a hash of the image. We coordinate the multi-platform takedown work and address search visibility on branded queries.
Is this engagement confidential?
Yes. Strictly confidential. The free assessment doesn't require you to share images themselves, only the platforms and URLs where the content appears. We work alongside your nominated legal counsel or police investigator where applicable.
What does ORMA actually do here?
We coordinate the platform-side removal work, manage search-result visibility while takedowns process, and help coordinate with eSafety and police as relevant. We don't provide legal advice, negotiate with extortionists, or replace law-enforcement reporting. Those are essential first steps.
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Australians helped
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Obligation
When you're ready, we can help with the content side
Free, confidential, no obligation. Start with eSafety and police reporting if you haven't already. We work alongside those efforts on the platform and search-result side.
Get Free ProposalOutcomes depend on the specific content, applicable jurisdiction, available evidence, and platform conditions. ORMA does not provide legal advice or replace law enforcement reporting.