Chapter 11

Angela’s hopes were dashed at the police station. She was told it was a civil matter that the porn websites had the images. She did not own them, whoever took the pictures did. She was also told that unless the websites were domiciled in the UK the UK police could not assist she would need to instruct international lawyers.

She had pleaded with them to do something about the hidden cameras.The police seemed sceptical. How could she not know there were half a dozen cameras on her? And they did not even believe the story about the glasses being a type of hidden camera.

But it was when she could not explain who “Alan” was that they finally lost patience. She had to admit she was working as a call girl and could not say who this person was. The message was clear: if you were there as a prostitute you had no right to privacy. In fact they believed she had made a porn film (she could be seen drinking on the screen) and had now regretted it.

Revenge porn legislation was still years in the future. There seemed no avenue open for Angela. She was instead given a number for Samaritans.

In despair, she tried calling Fatima. The number was not recognised. She tried looking up “Londonnights” but the only advertisement for it she could find had a number leading to an east Asian sounding woman who said she had no idea who “Fatima” was. She said the business had been taken over a few months back and Fatima may have just opened up a new business under a different name.

Angela was crestfallen. She had no one to help her. No means of redress. The videos and photors were all over the internet.

She called Peter.

“What is up with that video? When was that taken?”

Angela realised with a shock that he was accusing him of cheating on him. She realised she had no good excuse; she had worked as a prostitute while dating him and sleeping with him. And now he would be humiliated. “My friends have all seen the videos; somehow, in fact somebody even sent it to my mother!” He sounded genuinely angry.

Angela broke down. Rather than sympathy she was being blamed. They cancelled the date that evening and promised to talk tomorrow.