The European Day for Victims of Crime is observed annually on 22 February, commemorating the date in 1990 when the Council of Europe published the Charter of Victims of Crime. This marked a major milestone in strengthening victims’ rights and support mechanisms at the European level.

This year IH is highlighting the dangers associated with AI-powered “nudifying” applications. Within seconds, these apps are capable of generating nude images of individuals who are, in reality, clothed in the original photograph. Globally, such tools are increasingly being used to fabricate nude images of children. The experience of members of INHOPE, the international association of hotlines, corroborates this trend. In the United Kingdom, for example, data from the Internet Watch Foundation indicate that in every fifth case of sexual content reported by a child and depicting the child, AI and “nudifying” applications were involved.

To date, IH has not received a high volume of reports concerning AI-generated imagery; however, a rising trend is concerning. In 2025, 15 such content were reported to the hotline, including deepfake content involving child sexual abuse as well as such content depicting adults.

Although the content is not authentic, the harm they inflict can be profoundly severe for victims—namely, those whose likeness and identity are misused. International experience further demonstrates that deepfake recordings are now closely associated with sexual coercion and blackmail.

As part of the digital safety net, Internet Hotline is primarily able to assist victims when specific online content and precise URLs are provided. In addition, as a legal assistance service, its experts offer guidance on available reporting mechanisms directly with service providers, outline further legal remedies, and advise victims on where to seek psychological support.

The legal assistance service maintains close cooperation with the police and, in fulfilment of its obligations, contacts the National Bureau of Investigation when necessary. Internet Hotline also works in close partnership with professionals from the Blue Line Child Crisis Foundation, who provide expert guidance and training to hotline analysts to help them offer not only legal but also emotional support to complainants.

If you discover that your photograph has been misused online, do not hesitate to seek assistance. You are encouraged to contact Internet Hotline via the simple online reporting form available on its website, which can be completed in just a few minutes.