By Sophie*
I am Sophie* and I want to say how my sending of nude pics led to bullying and "sextortion".
When I was friends with her, she asked me to send nudes and she would send back.
"Send for send" and I thought, 'Oh, OK.' And then I did it.
I sent two pics. One of my top half and one of my bottom half. I did it because she was peer-pressuring me and stuff.
But she never sent one back.
She saved my nudes to her camera roll. Then she and another girl started sending them around.
Then people started getting a hold of it and started bullying me and making fun of me.
Probably over 2000 people saw it.
My friends and my family. My sisters, my mum and even my nana - she sent it to my mum and said: "Look what my granddaughter is doing."
Ever since this has happened I have not been wanting to go to school because I feel like people are talking about me.
I felt really uncomfortable and insecure about my body
The police have been involved because of what it's done because it's exposure to my body and I'm a child.
I have written a statement to the two girls who are alleged to have shared the images: "I really thought I could trust you. But I was wrong."
This has made me hate myself because when that happened, I thought it was my fault. But at the same time, it was also her fault.
I'm saying this because you have really damaged me and my life. I loved you so much but I can't anymore.
As well as sharing it, one of the girls is also alleged to have set up a fake Instagram account too sell the nude images
She put my nudes up on the account, and she put "anyone wanna buy these"?
And she got a message from I think this guy in India and he said, "I would like to buy those for money". And then she said, "All right". And then that happened.
I'm speaking out publicly because I don't want anyone to think I'm ashamed when I'm really not. I'm not ashamed to be a victim of sending nudes and my body getting sent around New Zealand because it happens.
It's always a mistake. And I need girls and boys to know that if you've done that, then it's a mistake. It's not your fault.
*Name has been changed for legal reasons.
Watch Paddy Gower Has Issues on Three or ThreeNow.
Where to find help and support:
- Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
- Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
