Skip to content
BELtogether
EN
TRTürkçeNLNederlandsFRFrançaisENEnglish
NOT ALLOWED All of Belgium

Is it a crime to share intimate photos of my ex or to threaten to share them?

In short

Yes, it is a serious crime. Sharing sexual images without consent is level 3. Threatening to share them, or using them to blackmail someone, is also a separate crime.

Share on WhatsApp
This rule in 54 seconds
Video transcript

The break-up ended badly. Your phone holds an intimate photo of your ex. Not allowed: Sharing a sexual image without consent is a level 3 crime. Threatening or blackmailing with it is a separate crime. The right way: Do not share or threaten. If you are a victim, keep evidence and go to the police; you have nothing to be ashamed of. Outcome (Level 3 crime): Prison: 3 – 5 years; Blackmail, victim under 18: Level 4; Also: Damages may be claimed.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Sharing a sexual photo or video without the person's consent is a crime (arts. 136–137, level 3).
  • Threatening to share these images can also be a crime; if it seriously disturbs the person's peace, it is stalking (belaging, art. 237, level 2). If money or another benefit is demanded in return, it is extortion (afpersing, arts. 464 and 468): level 3. If the victim is under 18, it is level 4 (art. 469).
  • Watching or recording someone who is naked or having sex, without permission and in a place where they expect privacy, is also a separate crime (voyeurism, art. 135, level 3).
  • If you are a victim, collect evidence and go to the police before you try to delete the images yourself. You are not the one who should feel ashamed.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICECriminal Code, level 3
Fine / payment
At level 3 the main penalty is prison. The judge can also add a fine of 200 € – 10.000 €; with surcharge multipliers, the amount you pay can be higher. If the judge accepts mitigating circumstances, they can give a lighter penalty (level 2 or 1, for example community service). The victim can also claim compensation.

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek Iejustice.just.fgov.be

Court / prison
3 – 5 years in prison

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36

What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 3: 3 – 5 years in prison. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

What do these terms mean?

Criminal record
The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

Once an image spreads, it cannot be taken back; it can ruin the victim's life. This rule protects privacy and especially protects young people from blackmail.

Where can you go?

  • Card StopIf you shared your card details, call straight away: 078 170 170
  • SafeonwebForward suspicious messages to verdacht@safeonweb.be
  • PoliceTo report threats, blackmail or stalking: 101 or your local police station
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
12 / 12 statements in an official source
Checked: 22.10.2026
Last checked
22.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 12 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

Related rules

Digital lifeNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 3

Can I let someone use my bank card or account for a few hundred euros?

No, do not lend them. The money that goes through your account often comes from fraud. If you know, or should know, that the money comes from a crime, keeping it in your account or sending it on to someone else is money laundering (level 3).Open the rule Digital lifeNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 2

Is it a crime to insult someone on WhatsApp or to write 'I will find you'?

It can be. A threat that causes someone serious fear is a crime: threatening a serious attack, such as killing, is level 2, and threatening a lighter attack is level 1. Insults and defamation are level 1 crimes if they are made in public (e.g. in a group chat). A screenshot can be used as evidence.Open the rule Digital lifeNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 2

Can I secretly go through my partner's phone or Instagram account if I know the password?

No. Getting into someone else's phone or account without permission is a crime (level 2). It makes no difference that they are your spouse.Open the rule