Friends online Date

[Lourdes]

This is an odd question posted on behalf of my friend.

My friend uses online dating. She was talking to one guy using WhatsApp. They never met but shared certain pictures. She now realises this was a mistake but I believe was manipulated into this.

I have already advised her to cut contact with the guy but my question is this:

Is there any legal method she could use if the guy gets nasty. We want to know if that there is anything we can do if he tried to blackmail her or similar.

Any advice will be gratefully received

Thanks

[Kati]

Re: Friends online Date

Mistake or not, your friend has learnt a valuable lesson :nod: Chances are the guy will not do anything at all (he's had his 'kicks' and got some piccies into the bargain), but if he did try it on then I would suggest she went to her local police to see if they could give him a warning/caution.

Restraining orders are also a possibility ... however the guy would have to do more than just threaten to 'out' her for this to be a viable option (IMO)

A restraining order or protective order is an order used by a court to protect a person or entity, and the general public, in a situation involving alleged domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or sexual assault.

THIS might be a good thing for your friend to read too

Revenge porn is the publication of explicit material portraying someone who has not consented for the image or video to be shared. It is an offence to disclose a "private sexual photograph or film" without the consent of the person depicted in the content, and with the intent to cause them distress.
A person found guilty of this offence will face a fine or even imprisonment, see Q834 for more details.