Online abuse is best reported through eSafety(opens in a new window) who regulate online safety in Australia. They will take reports of:
- cyberbullying of children
- adult cyber abuse
- image based abuse
- illegal and restricted content.
If there is an immediate threat to life or risk of harm, always call Triple Zero (000)(opens in a new window) first.
About online abuse
Online abuse affects both children and adults. It can happen on social media, games, applications (apps) or any other online or electronic platform.
Online harm or abuse can happen in:
- posts
- comments
- texts and online messages
- livestreams
- memes
- images
- videos
- emails.
Report online abuse with eSafety
Australia has strong laws to prevent and deal with harm caused by serious online abuse and illegal and restricted online content.
If you or someone you know experiences online abuse, eSafety(opens in a new window) can help.
Sometimes the comments or abuse can be criminal. In these instances they should also be reported to ReportCyber.
Reporting cyber bullying and adult cyber abuse
If you are experiencing cyber bullying or adult cyber abuse:
- report the bullying or abuse to the website, social media platform or online service first
- if they don’t remove the content within 48 hours, report the bullying or abuse to eSafety(opens in a new window).
Image-based abuse or illegal and restricted content
If you have experienced image-based abuse or seen illegal or restricted content, make a report to eSafety(opens in a new window) immediately.
To find out more about this type of abuse, visit Image based sexual offences.
Why report online abuse
All reports are important. They provide information on cybercrimes and online abuse trends in Victoria.
When you make a report, you help to stop other people from being victims of the same cybercrime.
Your report helps eSafety and law enforcement agencies to disrupt online abuse and make online safer.
How eSafety can help
eSafety can help to get harmful online content removed.
To have harmful online content removed, it must meet some legal requirements for investigation.
Even if eSafety cannot get the content removed, they will:
- check you are safe
- give you support and information to help you protect yourself.
What eSafety can investigate
eSafety can investigate the following types of online content:
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is serious, harmful online communication to or about a child or young person under 18.
Cyberbullying may include:
- being mean online
- sending hurtful messages
- sharing embarrassing photos, and
- creating fake accounts.
Adult cyber abuse
Adult cyber abuse is serious, harmful online communication to or about a person who is 18 or older.
This content is threatening, harassing or offensive and intended to cause serious harm.
Adult cyber abuse may include:
- someone cyber stalking you
- someone threatening you online
- someone doxing you (publicly sharing your personal or private information online).
Image-based abuse
Image-based abuse involves sharing or threatening to share intimate images or videos of someone without their consent.
This is sometimes called ‘revenge porn’ or sexual extortion (sextortion).
Find out more about image-based sexual offences and Sextortion(opens in a new window).
Illegal or restricted content
Illegal or restricted content shows or encourages:
- the sexual abuse or exploitation of children
- terrorist acts
- other types of violent crimes, or
- extreme violence.
Learn more about eSafety
Visit the eSafety(opens in a new window) website to:
- find out more about what eSafety can investigate
- learn how to make a report
- learn how to collect evidence.
Report online abuse using ReportCyber
Sometimes the comments or abuse can be criminal. In these instances, they should also be reported to ReportCyber.
ReportCyber will direct your report to the best agency to investigate it. Some of these reports will be assigned to Victoria Police for further investigation.
Cybercrimes you can report via ReportCyber include:
- online bullying, stalking and harassment
- image-based online abuse and threats
- stolen identity
- fake investment schemes
- online banking and account theft
- fake romance and relationship scams
- affected devices.
To find out more about how to report online abuse and cybercrime via ReportCyber visit Report a cybercrime.
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