Consent. Scenario 5 of 34. Photos and sharing

The group photo

After a night out you have a great group photo. Everyone wants you to post it.

Earlier in the evening Priya mentioned that she is keeping off social media at the moment. She is in the middle of the photo.

What is the best call?

Message Priya first. "OK if I post this one? I can crop you out or pick another."

Good call

Asking takes ten seconds. Offering other options makes it easy for Priya to say no without feeling she is spoiling it for everyone. A yes only means something when no is easy.

Post it, but do not tag Priya.

Not the best call

Leaving off the tag does not take Priya out of the photo. Your shared friends will still see her. She told you what she wanted, and this works around it instead of respecting it.

Post it, and take it down if she complains.

Not the best call

This makes Priya do the work, after people have already seen the photo and maybe saved it. Asking for forgiveness instead of permission is not consent.

Do not post anything from the night.

Could be better

This fully respects Priya, and it is never wrong to hold back. It is more than you needed to do, though. One question would probably have let everyone get what they wanted.

The principle

A person's image is theirs. "They did not say no" is not the same as "they said yes". When it is someone else's face, ask before you post.

If this brings something up for you

You can stop at any time. These UK services are free and confidential. In an emergency, call 999.

Rape Crisis England & WalesFree 24/7 support line and online chat for anyone aged 16 or over.
SurvivorsUKFor men, boys and non-binary people who have experienced sexual violence.
GalopFor LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse or violence.
Revenge Porn HelplineFor adults whose intimate images have been shared, or threatened to be.
SamaritansSomeone to talk to, day or night, about anything.