'It's only one step away from being a flasher in a park'
How 'cyberflashing', the sending of unsolicited sexual images, has reached epidemic proportions
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“I ended up blocking his number and blocking him on every form of social media”
If you talk to most women who have been using dating sites in the last decade or so they will regale you with stories of receiving unsolicited ‘dick pics’. It has become so common that it has almost been normalised and trivialised. But it is a form of sexual violence and is only one step away from someone flashing strangers in a park. At the start of this year the law was changed and ‘cyberflashing’ is now classed as a criminal offence. Amanda Wilkins reports…
If you have happened to find yourself single and ready to mingle in the past few years, there’s a good chance you may have dipped your toes into the murky waters of the online dating world.
Dating in these modern times has moved on significantly from a quick snog at the revolving bar in The Brunel, followed by a hasty exchange of landline numbers, and a few anxious days of waiting to see if they’d call.
Nowadays it’s all about the dating apps, Tinder, PoF and Bumble, to name but a few.
Dating, much like all other things in the 2020s, has gone digital.
As a 40-something singleton myself, I have a relatively good knowledge of these sites, having frequented them on and off for the past few years. As with all things, there are good elements but also bad. If you are savvy and have your wits about you, they can, in my opinion, be safer than the old form of meeting a stranger in a bar, and going back to their place. Online dating gives you the opportunity to chat and get to know a person a little bit, before you commit to a face-to-face liaison.
Of course, this technological upgrade does come with a few snags.
Chat to any woman who has been a member of an online dating forum and there’s a good chance she will tell you that she’s been sent at least one unsolicited photo of male genitalia during her time on the site. Research from YouGov found that four in ten women aged 18 to 34 had been sent unsolicited sexual images.
Sharing intimate images or videos privately between consenting adults is not considered illegal, but sending an unsolicited sexual or nude image to victims via social media or dating apps, is considered ‘Cyberflashing’.
Cyberflashing is a form of indecent exposure (also known as 'flashing') and takes place online, rather than in person. Cyberflashing can also take place through data sharing services with strangers such as Bluetooth and Airdrop – something which commonly happens on buses or trains.
Other social media companies don’t help, especially with the advent of disappearing ‘messages’ on WhatsApp and Instagram.
Receiving unsolicited explicit photos is often dismissed as something to have a giggle about; tell anyone you’re on a dating website and I can bet that the first question will be as to whether you’ve received any dick pics yet, but it’s far from a laughing matter.
Indecent exposure in both its forms is a type of sexual violence and is considered a serious crime that can leave victims feeling unsafe. Cyberflashing is incredibly common, especially for women, and is often scary and distressing for those on the receiving end of the unwanted images.
Cyberflashing can also form part of a grooming process, where the perpetrator builds a fake relationship with the victim to gain power and control over them, and therefore it is easier for them to carry out other forms of sexual abuse.
The receiving of unwanted sexual images is not just confined to strangers on dating sites; through our research we found that in many cases the woman knows the person sending the photos, it’s often a casual acquaintance that the woman has felt is a safe person to give her number to.
In March 2022 the UK government made ‘cyberflashing’ a criminal offense. The Online Safety Act has now criminalised this behaviour and the Crown Prosecution Service will now be able to hold offenders to account through courts of law.
Those who send unsolicited explicit photographs or films of genitals to gain sexual gratification or to cause another adult distress will face prosecution and could find themselves on the sex offenders register, fined and or imprisoned for up to two years.
Using the new CPS guidance, prosecutors will make charging decisions based on whether offenders intended for a victim of cyberflashing to be alarmed, distressed, or humiliated, or whether they as a culprit hoped to receive sexual gratification regardless of whether the recipient was alarmed, distressed, or humiliated.
Prosecutors will have the power to apply the law in three different categories of so-called revenge porn from now on.
It will become an offence to share an intimate photograph or film:
a. without consent,
b. without consent and with intent to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation,
c. without consent and or for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.
The new guidance also covers any threats to share intimate images where the victim or someone known to the victim fears that the threat could be carried out, or the offender is reckless as to whether there are any such fears.
We spoke to three victims of Cyberflashing.
Claire* said: “I’ve been sent lots of Dick Pics when I’ve been on dating sites, I would say most women probably have at some point.
“One of the times it was actually a friend who spotted me online and thought that gave him the right to send a pic out of the blue with a ‘funny’ sentence accompanying it. I ignored him.”
Charlotte* told of her experience.
“I met a guy through a club my son attended. He seemed really nice; we exchanged numbers.
“We had only been on a couple of dates when he started sending me photos of his genitals. It quickly progressed to Face Timing me while he was naked and masturbating. I wasn’t sure how to handle it, I would ask him not to do it and hang up as soon as I realised he was naked, but he continued.
“I was embarrassed as he often called when I was in public, this seemed to thrill him even further.
“I ended up blocking his number and blocking him on every form of social media.”
Lily* is also a victim of cyberflashing.
She said: “It was a guy from my old gym, and I started talking to him online, just chatting about the gym. We swapped numbers as we’d been chatting for a while and after a couple of weeks, he kept making comments about wanting to sleep with me. It wasn’t for me, he made it quite clear that he just wanted to have sex.
“Every now and then he’ll pop up with not so wonderful pictures. He’s probably sent me about 10 photos of his penis. This has been over a period of months. I’ve told him I’m not going to be sleeping with him.
“He is most persistent.”
The case that brought Cyberflashing to our attention here at the Ink, was that of a Wiltshire policeman who was recently found guilty of Gross Misconduct at a hearing in early September.
In February 2024, whilst off duty, PC Yeates met an individual online through a mobile dating application, and then over the course of around a week, sent a video clip which was found to be offensive and acted in a sexually inappropriate manner toward them, both in person and via messages, which was unwanted.
The hearing, held at Wiltshire Police Headquarters between 3 and 4 September and chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith, concluded that the actions of former PC Stephen Yeates breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour for police officers for authority, respect and courtesy and equality and diversity.
The panel considered one allegation broken down into 24 points, with 20 found proven against former PC Yeates, who resigned in August 2024. Had he not resigned, he would have been dismissed without notice. He has also been placed on the barred and advisory list.
Deputy Chief Constable Craig Dibdin said: “The behaviour displayed by former PC Yeates falls short of the very high standards we expect of both officers and staff, on and off duty. We are extremely grateful to the witness in this case who assisted us with our investigation into his behaviour.
“I would like to underline the importance of officers upholding high standards of behaviour at all times and would urge members of our communities to report any concerns where they believe behaviour of our officers and staff has fallen short.”
The case is shocking, especially following on from some recent local cases involving police officers and misconduct. The actions of such police officers, who are meant to uphold the law and protect women from sexual violence, do little to raise the confidence of the female victims of sexual crimes, and their right to be believed and taken seriously.
I think one of the things that has resonated with me the most whilst writing this piece and speaking to women about their experiences, is how widespread and accepted cyberflashing seems to be.
The objectification and degradation of women was still very prevalent in my youth. The Carry-on films that played during the holidays, the sitcoms that normalised casual sexism and dubious age gap relationships, wolf whistles in the street, being grabbed in a bar, the Great Uncle that my Mum warned us not to get too close to as he tended to get a bit too touchy feely. It was all just something that we had to put up with, part and parcel of being a female.
We wouldn’t tolerate any of this now, my grown-up children are horrified by some of the things I tell them (especially creepy Great Uncle), but for some reason, we seem to accept cyberflashing as an occupational hazard of being female and having a mobile phone.
Thankfully cyberflashing is finally being taken seriously by the police, and as with anything, awareness needs to be raised and we must help women realise that it isn’t just part of our lot, it can lead to more severe crimes and needs to be stopped.
DCI Lucy Thorne from the VAWG team at Wiltshire Police said: “Cyberflashing can cause deep distress to victims. It is unacceptable that women and girls are being subjected to this crime.
“In January this year it became an offence to send unwanted sexual images by social media, dating apps or technologies, for example blue tooth or airdrop. The law requires the victim to be alarmed, distressed or humiliated or that the suspect hoped to receive sexual gratification and was reckless to if the victim would be caused alarm, distress or humiliation.
“If you have been a victim to cyberflashing we want to hear from you. You can report it to us by calling 101 or through our website.”
If you find yourself becoming a victim there is also lots of advice including for parents and teachers online:
Cyber Flashing Support and Resources - Survivors Network
Cyberflashing - UK Safer Internet Centre
What is Cyberflashing? Legal Measures, Impact & Prevention — The Cyber Helpline
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Swindon Labour launches Pension Credit sign-up campaign
A campaign urging eligible people to sign up for Pension Credit has been launched by Swindon Labour.
The local party says hundreds of thousands of households are not claiming the Pensions Credit they are eligible for, worth an average of £3,900 a year, and that the total includes an estimated 3,090 here in Swindon.
The move comes amid ongoing controversy over the Government's decision to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from millions of senior citizens.
Swindon Labour is urging local pensioners to apply for Pension Credit, which from this year will also automatically passport eligible pensioners to receive the Winter Fuel Payment - pushing the total average entitlement over £4,000
Families, friends and neighbours are being encouraged to reach out to retired family members to encourage them to check their eligibility and apply, and 21 December is the last possible date to make a successful backdated claim in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
While around 1.4m pensioners are already receiving Pension Credit nationwide, Labour says up to an estimated 880,000 households are eligible for the support but are not claiming it.
Swindon Borough Council leader Cllr Jim Robbins said: “Swindon Labour is determined to get as many local pensioners signed up for Pension Credit as we can.
"It’s worth around £4,000 a year and signing up has never been easier.
“The Conservatives left this country broke and broken – including a £22bn black hole in the nation’s finances. So Labour has been forced to make tough decisions now to fix the foundations of our economy – but we’re protecting the pensioners who most need our support most. And through this campaign we are hoping to ensure that every household in Swindon that is eligible gets every penny they are due.
“So our message is clear – if you are pensioner please check if you could be due around £4,000 through Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Allowance to help with bills this winter, and if you know a pensioner please do everything you can to encourage them to apply.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The £22 billion blackhole inherited from the previous governments means we are having to take tough decisions now to fix the foundations of our economy – including making the Winter Fuel Payments available to those most at need.
“1.3 million pensioners are already going to get help with fuel bills this year because they’re claiming pension credit – but thousands more are eligible. So, if you know someone who could get pension credit and help with their fuel bills, now is the time to help them apply for pension credit.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit worth on average £3,900 per year. That needs to change.
“It’s easier than ever to check if you are eligible, including with our online calculator, and if your circumstances have changed since the last time you looked – I urge you to check again.
“Friends, families and neighbours can also encourage their loved ones to apply, so that they are not missing out on this vital benefit.”
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, said: "It’s a national tragedy that nearly a million eligible low-income pensioners who’ve paid into the system for years are still missing out on the crucial Pension Credit financial lifeline – a better name for it would be the State Pension Top Up.
"So whatever your age, take a second to understand how it works, so we can all ensure the message is spread to every nook and granny (and grandpas too). Especially as the government has just severed Winter Fuel Benefits eligibility for millions, yet if you claim Pension Credit you’ll still get it.
"While for most single pensioners, you need total weekly income, including from savings, under around £218 (pensioner couples under £333) to be very likely to qualify, my rule of thumb is spend a few minutes to check even with weekly income up to £235 (pensioner couples £350) as there’s still a chance some may be eligible.
"Pension Credit can pay out £1,000s a year, but even if it’s only going to pay you thruppence, still claim it! As once you get it, it’s a gateway benefit that opens the door to other entitlements – including council tax reductions, free TV licences (if age over 75) dental and optical support and more.”
Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple should check to see if they are eligible for this support which is worth £3,900 a year on average, using DWP’s online calculator.
People with a severe disability, carers and those who are responsible for a child or young person who lives with them could get more. Pension Credit can also include extra amounts for certain housing costs, such as ground rent or service charges.
Labour says this work is part of a wider plan to ensure economic stability for pensioners by protecting the Triple Lock and supporting households with their energy bills through the £150 Warm Home Discount and the Warm Homes Plan – upgrading millions of homes this Parliament.
Over the next five years, according to the Government, more than 12m pensioners could see their State Pension increase by over £1,000 as a result of the commitment to the Triple Lock.
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