You are terribly ashamed. That nude was meant for his eyes only, but that cute guy on Grindr turns out to be a 55 year old pervert. The video you took for him is now being used to blackmail you. If you don’t do what he demands, he will expose you. Even though you know that a lot of young people take nudes and send them, you really want to prevent yours from spreading online. Would you talk about this with someone? Or would you give in to his demands?

Shame can cause you to not talk with anyone about what is going on. . You would rather send more footage, pay more money or meet up with someone than have your pictures end up online. It makes sense that you think that the (further) distribution of your footage is the worst thing that can happen. However, from reading Myriam’s story, it becomes clear that this is not the worst thing that can happen.

“After being raped, I knew that the worst thing that could happen, happened. I had no self-esteem left. Nothing could surpass that feeling.”– Myriam

Talk about it!

The worst thing that can happen is abusers having an influence on your life. That they have power over you that you cannot get out of. That is why it is so important for you to talk about it – with someone you trust or (anonymously) with an aid worker.