Receiving an unsolicited indecent or inappropriate image can be shocking and distressing. Whether it’s sent deliberately or arrives unexpectedly, knowing how to respond appropriately can protect you legally and help safeguard others, particularly if children are involved.
What is an indecent image?
An indecent image is a photograph, video, or digitally created picture that depicts sexual activity or shows someone in a sexual or inappropriate manner. While the term often refers to images of children (under 18s), it can also apply to explicit images of adults sent without consent.
Under UK law, creating, possessing, or distributing indecent images of anyone under 18 is a serious criminal offence, even if the young person consented to the image being taken. For adult images, sending unsolicited intimate images (also called ‘cyberflashing’) and sharing intimate images without consent are also criminal offences.
It’s important to understand that many people receive unsolicited images through messaging apps, social media, or dating platforms. Receiving such an image unexpectedly does not automatically make you a criminal, but how you respond matters significantly.
Is it illegal just to receive an indecent image?
The legal position in England and Wales distinguishes between passively receiving an unsolicited indecent image and actively engaging with it.
Receiving an unsolicited indecent image
Simply receiving an image you didn’t ask for, expect, or encourage is not itself a criminal offence. If someone sends you an indecent image without your consent or prior knowledge, you are a victim, not an offender.
Where it becomes illegal
You may face criminal liability if you:
- Intentionally download, save, or store the image
- Share, forward, or distribute the image to others
- Request or encourage someone to send such images
- View the image repeatedly or move it between devices
- Fail to report images of children to appropriate authorities
Indecent images involving children
The situation is far more serious if the image depicts or appears to depict someone under 18.
Possession of indecent images of children is illegal under the Protection of Children Act 1978 and Criminal Justice Act 1988, regardless of how you obtained them. Even if the image was sent to you unsolicited, keeping it, viewing it multiple times, or sharing it constitutes a criminal offence.
Receiving an indecent image: Immediate steps to take
If you receive an indecent or inappropriate image, we recommend following these steps carefully:
Stop engaging immediately
Do not reply to the sender, do not request more images, or send anything back. Responding can be interpreted as encouraging further contact or expressing interest in the material. Consider blocking the sender on the platform.
Never forward the image to friends, family, colleagues, school staff, or anyone else, even if your intention is to warn them or seek advice. Sharing indecent images, particularly of children, can itself be a criminal offence regardless of your motivation. If you need to report the matter, describe what you received rather than showing the actual image.
Preserve limited evidence
Do not delete the entire conversation, chat thread, or wipe your device if there’s any possibility of a police investigation. Destroying potential evidence can appear suspicious and may itself be an offence (perverting the course of justice). Instead:
- Take note of the sender’s username, phone number, or profile details
- Record the platform or app used
- Note the date and time you received the image
- Screenshot any accompanying messages or threats (very importantly without screenshotting the indecent image itself)
Treat images potentially involving minors as safeguarding matters
If the person in the image appears to be or might be under 18, treat this as an urgent safeguarding issue. Do not view the image repeatedly, zoom in to examine it, do not save it to another location, or transfer it between devices. These actions could be interpreted as demonstrating a sexual interest in children.
Seek appropriate advice
Depending on the circumstances, you may need to report to the police, contact the platform, or seek legal advice if you’re concerned about potential criminal liability.
When and how to report receiving an indecent image
When and how you report an indecent image depends largely on the circumstances and who is depicted in the content.
If the image appears to involve someone under 18
Report immediately to the police by calling 101 or using your local force’s online reporting system. Be clear that you received an unsolicited image and took no action to encourage it.
You should also report the content to:
- The platform where it was sent (using in-app reporting tools)
- The Internet Watch Foundation, which works to remove child sexual abuse material from the internet
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)
For parents: If your child has received such an image, contact your child’s school safeguarding lead for support, but do not forward the actual image to the school, as this constitutes distribution. Describe what happened instead.
If it’s an unsolicited adult image
Sending unsolicited sexual images is now a criminal offence under the Online Safety Act 2023. If you receive unwanted images of genitals or explicit sexual content from an adult:
- Report and block the sender through the platform’s reporting tools
- Consider reporting to the police if the behaviour is persistent, threatening, or part of a pattern of harassment
- Keep evidence of the messages (without saving the explicit images themselves)
Police may investigate under harassment laws or the Online Safety Act, particularly where there are threats, blackmail, or a campaign of abuse.
How Lawtons can help
If police have contacted you, seized your devices, or indicated you’re under investigation following receipt of indecent images, early specialist legal advice is critical to protect your rights and your future.
At Lawtons, we provide expert representation in sensitive cases involving indecent images and sexual offences. Our experienced team can help by:
- Advising you before any police interview under caution (IUC)
- Liaising with police and prosecutors on your behalf
- Instructing forensic experts to analyse digital evidence where appropriate
- Presenting strong mitigation at the interview, charging, and sentencing stages
- Protecting your interests throughout the investigation and court process
We understand these cases are distressing and complex. Our approach is confidential, non-judgmental, and focused on achieving the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
Contact Lawtons today for discreet, specialist advice on any matter involving indecent images or online sexual offences.
