Recovering from a Sexting Incident

Sexting has become such a widespread problem in our world today that has hurt so many people. Many who have fallen victim to this often feel vulnerable to everyone around them, like they have no one to turn to and no way out of the situation. If you happen to be one who has walked through this or know someone who has, we want you to know that you’re not alone in this and there is hope for you.

Sexting usually refers to sending nude or partially nude photos by text message. Of course, it can also happen over social media platforms and with laptop webcams. Research shows that approximately 1 in 7 teenagers reports sending sex-texts (sexts) and about 1 in 4 teens report receiving sexts.

So what happens after a sext is sent or received?

As we explained in another blog post on this topic, sometimes sexts are used for cyberbullying or revenge porn, sometimes sext photos are obtained by sexual predators, and sometimes law enforcement becomes involved because sexual or nude images of people under the age of 18 are illegal.

Maybe you sent a sext and now regret it because of the fallout. Or maybe you received a sext that ended up causing a lot of problems for you. What do you do now?

If you sent a sext and quickly lost control of the situation —

First, we want you to know that nobody deserves to be bullied, manipulated, blackmailed, or preyed upon. Even if you willingly made the choice to send a photo to someone you trusted, you don’t deserve to be mistreated. Yes, sending sexts is risky, but that doesn’t mean you deserve to be harmed. The person who posted or shared your pictures without your permission has intentionally hurt you, and that is wrong.

If your embarrassing or compromising photo ended up in the hands of people you never meant to see you, it’s normal for you to be upset or feel humiliated. Your pain and embarrassment can be made worse by people who victim-blame and shame. If that has happened to you, we’re so sorry. No one deserves to be treated this way.

So what can you do? Well, if someone has publicly shared an image you intended to be private, you may be able to take legal action. Some states have enacted revenge porn laws and most states have laws against sextortion — if you’re a minor and someone coerced you to send a nude picture of yourself. Before you talk to police, research your state laws because some states prosecute teens who send nude photos of themselves, charging them with child pornography distribution. And obviously – you don’t want to open yourself up to that. If this has happened to you, talk to your parents, a teacher, or a counselor. Your local legal aid office may also be able to answer some questions over the phone and give you some advice.

More important than legal action, though, is your need to take care of yourself emotionally and mentally. If you haven’t already, talk to an adult you can trust — a parent, a counselor, a pastor, a teacher. This can be a very traumatic experience and trying to hide or fix things on your own without help may lead to further harm to you. Find someone who will support you, encourage you, and love you through this.

We know this may seem like the end of the world — and that’s totally understandable. But fortunately, our culture’s attention spans are pretty short. Within a few days, there will be some new drama taking over social media and the gossip in your town. Hang in there. The emotions and thoughts you’ve experienced as a result of this won’t last forever. It takes time to heal.

If you received a sext and quickly lost control of the situation –

First, if you’re in legal trouble, seek counsel from a lawyer. A good lawyer will advise you of your rights and your best options.

But aside from the legal aspect, you may be living with a lot of guilt or shame right now. It’s important for you to know that you will recover from this. Even when our mistakes seem overwhelming, we can move forward.

It may help you to talk to a professional counselor or therapist. Either one can help you process all the emotions you might be experiencing. They can also help you find appropriate ways to apologize to anyone you may have hurt or harmed.

Whether you sent a sext you’ve come to regret or whether you received a sext and caused someone else harm, this doesn’t have to be the defining moment of your life. You’re so much more than this one thing. You are so valuable – worthy of love, of forgiveness, of respect.

If you need someone to talk to, we’re here for you. Call us and one of our staff members will listen and help you find the resources you need to walk through this.

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Can I Change My Mind After Taking the First Abortion Pill?

September 30, 2026

If you took the first abortion pill, it’s possible to start wishing you hadn’t. The regret may have hit you immediately, or it might have taken a few hours to realize that you want to continue the pregnancy. Either way, there may still be something you can do: abortion pill reversal (APR) may be an option. The first drug used in the abortion pill regimen is usually mifepristone. If you have taken mifepristone but now want to continue your pregnancy, call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 right away. Their Helpline is available 24/7 and can connect you with a medical provider who can administer APR. If You Have Only Taken the First Pill Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone. Progesterone helps maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy. When this hormone is blocked, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy ends. The second drug in the abortion pill regimen is misoprostol , which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Abortion pill reversal involves giving progesterone after mifepristone in an effort to allow the pregnancy to continue. Don’t Wait for Symptoms Before Calling You may wonder whether you should wait before deciding what to do. But if you want to try to continue the pregnancy, call first. It’s critical to start the protocol as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours of taking mifepristone. However, you should still call even when more time has passed; it may not be too late. A medical provider can determine whether APR may still be appropriate. Does Reversal Always Work? Abortion pill reversal cannot guarantee that the pregnancy will continue. One published study reported ongoing pregnancy rates of approximately 64% to 68% with certain progesterone regimens, but individual outcomes vary. The important thing is to get medical guidance quickly rather than trying to determine your chances on your own. What if You Already Took Misoprostol? If you have already taken misoprostol, contact a healthcare professional promptly and explain exactly what you took and when. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms that concern you or believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency. Make the Call Now Changing your mind after taking mifepristone can be frightening, especially when you’re unsure whether there is still time to act. You don’t need to figure that out yourself. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 as soon as possible and tell them when you took mifepristone. They can explain whether abortion pill reversal may still be an option and connect you with an appropriate provider. You can also contact Collage if you need someone to speak with while you work through your next steps. We’re here to help you. *Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. **All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

I’ve Already Had an Abortion and Don’t Want Another One. What Are My Options?

September 7, 2026

Seeing another positive pregnancy test after having had a past abortion may bring up memories or emotions from that experience. If you already know you don’t want another abortion, you may be wondering what other choices you have and whether either feels realistic for your life right now. You have time to learn about your options and the available support. Collage is here to give you a place to discuss your circumstances so you can decide what’s right for you. Schedule a no-cost appointment today to learn more about your pregnancy and what your next steps could look like. And read on to learn more about your pregnancy options besides abortion. Consider What Parenting Would Require You may want to parent but have concerns about whether you can make it work. Finances, housing, childcare, your relationship, work, or school can all influence how possible this option feels right now. Before deciding that those challenges make parenting unrealistic, it can help to identify your biggest concerns individually. Some of those concerns may have solutions you haven’t considered yet. Think about the support you already have, along with what you would need during pregnancy and after your baby arrives. Knowing where the gaps are can make it easier to find resources rather than trying to solve everything at once. Learn More About Adoption If you don’t want another abortion but aren’t ready to parent, adoption is another option. Today, a woman making an adoption plan can have a significant role in deciding what that plan looks like. Depending on the type of adoption, you may be able to choose an adoptive family and decide what level of contact you would like after placement. Open, semi-open, and closed adoption offer different levels of communication and privacy. Speaking with a licensed adoption professional can help you understand these differences, your rights, and what the process would involve before you make any commitments. Discuss Your Options in a Confidential Space Having had an abortion before does not mean you have to make the same pregnancy decision again. Your feelings, circumstances, priorities, or perspective may be different this time. If you know you don’t want another abortion, start by learning what parenting and adoption could realistically look like in your current situation. Collage provides a place to talk about your pregnancy and the concerns influencing your decision. We can also connect you with adoption agencies and community organizations that provide the support you’re seeking. Reaching out doesn’t lock you into a specific decision. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered and explore the options available to you. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

Will My Insurance Pay for My Girlfriend's Abortion Pill?

August 11, 2026

If your girlfriend is facing an unexpected pregnancy and considering the abortion pill, you're probably wondering about costs and whether insurance will cover it.