Ascend

We understand that you may be finding this a distressing time for both you and your family. We want you to know that you are not alone.  Parents and children often blame themselves for what has happened. It is not your or your child's fault, we often question ourselves saying ‘if only I had…’, or ‘I should have…’ or ‘why didn’t I…’. The fact is that someone has targeted your child and by various techniques has betrayed their trust or coerced them into doing what they wanted. Horrible things happen to good people, it is unfair, but it is not your or your child's fault, it is the person who did this to your family.  

Our hope is that the information and strategies we are sharing here will be ones that you find helpful.  For any parent/carer finding out that intimate images of their child have been shared can trigger a range of emotions, leaving you feeling unsure about how best to respond.  This is a perfectly normal reaction and any professional who may be involved with you should understand this.  

This resource has been produced with help from specialists in this field including those with lived experience and therapists.  It has answers to questions that other families have asked and could help you.  It may also help you to identify what questions you may wish to ask of others involved. 

Your child will have been given their own resource which includes a letter from someone who has personal experience of having their image shared. This is to show them that they too are not alone and how they are feeling now will not always be the case. It is a message of hope.  The resource also includes some techniques they can use to help them manage a range of negative emotions they may be feeling and a QR code where they can visit for more information.