If you suspect someone has illicit images of minors and they are violent, controlling, or dangerous, your safety becomes the absolute priority. Disclosures like this can escalate threats — so it’s critical to take a strategic, trauma-informed approach.
Here’s what you need to know and do if you feel in danger:
🚨 If You’re Afraid of the Person: Safety First, Then Reporting
Being in proximity to someone violent — especially when you’ve seen or suspect illegal activity — creates a highly volatile and risky situation. Many survivors of domestic abuse or coercive control feel trapped, torn between the need to protect victims (children) and protect themselves.
You are not alone, and there are ways to act safely.
🔐 Step-by-Step: What to Do When You’re Scared of Retaliation
🔹 1. Do Not Confront Them
- Don’t say what you saw.
- Don’t try to accuse, question, or hint.
- Do not let them know you’re considering going to police or professionals.
📌 Why? Abusers escalate when they feel exposed or out of control. Confrontation often leads to violence, threats, or destruction of evidence.
🔹 2. Document Everything — Safely
- Write down what you saw, when, and where (e.g., “On May 17th, I saw a photo of a child on his mobile under a hidden album folder”).
- Use a safe digital journal like a secure notes app with a passcode.
- Don’t store anything on shared devices.
💡 You can email it to a trusted friend, therapist, or lawyer using a subject line like “Legal File” — so you have a timestamped record without drawing attention.
🔹 3. Talk to a Therapist or Lawyer Discreetly
- Ask your therapist for a covert or emergency session (some clinics have options for codewords or discreet communication).
- If you’re in an abusive relationship, your lawyer can guide you through safe exit strategies before you report to police.
- In Spain, some bar associations offer free legal advice for domestic violence survivors.
🔹 **4. Contact the Police from a Safe Location Only
Never report from:
- A shared home
- A device they monitor
- An unsafe emotional moment where you might be heard
Instead:
- Use a friend’s phone or device.
- Visit a local Centro de la Mujer, shelter, or domestic violence NGO.
- If you’re abroad, embassies can also help with referrals and safe lodging.
🚓 If you’re in immediate danger, call 112 and say:
“Estoy en peligro. El tiene contenido ilegal y es violento. Necesito ayuda ya.”
🆘 Additional Safety Measures
- Create a safety plan (we can help build one for you).
- Pack an emergency bag (ID, phone, chargers, meds, cash, copies of legal documents).
- Use a code word with a trusted person so they know to call police.
- Delete chat history with your therapist or lawyer, or use anonymous accounts.
🔒 Legal Protection in Spain
Spain has a strong legal framework for victims of gender-based violence, including:
- Immediate protective measures (restraining orders)
- Shelters and protection programs
- Fast-track legal aid for reporting crimes by abusive partners
🧠 Emotional Safety: You Are Not Overreacting
People often freeze or minimize when they see something horrifying and live with someone dangerous.
You might hear your inner voice say:
- “Maybe I misunderstood…”
- “He’s dangerous, but maybe this is nothing…”
- “I just need to survive this and stay quiet.”
🧠 But staying silent does not keep you safe. It prolongs the danger — to you, to children, and possibly to other victims.
Every report matters. Even if you don’t have “proof,” your voice can trigger an investigation. Anonymous tips are also possible.
🌟 Summary: If You’re in Danger
| What You Saw | You Feel Unsafe | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Illicit images of minors | Partner is violent, controlling, or unstable | ✅ Tell therapist/lawyer discreetly ✅ Plan a safe time/location to report ✅ Use domestic abuse services ✅ Never confront them directly ✅ Get to safety first |
📢 Safe Reporting
🛑 If you suspect someone has illicit images of children and they are violent — do not confront them.
✅ Tell your therapist
✅ Tell your lawyer
✅ Report from a safe place
Your safety matters. Protecting children does not mean putting yourself in danger.
