PICTURE the scene: You are a 17-year-old in your first romantic relationship with that exuberant rush of excitement.

The next moment, it all comes crashing down and you find out your partner has been sharing intimate images of you across the internet.

Further - and more worrying - you’ve been told by your partner that sending explicit images is normal, and part of an adult relationship.

This is the mortifying situation faced by dozens of teenagers across Essex - as police record a rise in the number of revenge porn incidents.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Children (NSPCC) has warned that revenge porn can have a huge and long-lasting, impact on victims as they are left feeling hopeless and unsure where to turn for help.

A Freedom of Information request, submitted to Essex Police, has revealed a spike in the number of incidents of revenge porn against people under the age of 18.

In 2015, there were nine incidents in the age bracket but by last year this had risen to 30.

There were 18 victims in the age bracket of 18 to 25 years old in 2015 and by last year this had risen to 104.

One girl, aged 14 who contacted Childline said: “I don’t know what to do because this Instagram account keeps posting pictures of me and they keep saying they’re going to follow my friends so they can see them too.

“It all started after I shared naked pictures with someone who I thought was a friend but it turned out to be a fake account. I just feel so hopeless and I don’t know how to make it stop”.

The data revealed as part of the Essex Police Freedom of Information request also shows the amount of victim outcomes.

In 2015, there were eight cases which resulted in a charge, summons and postal requisition and by last year this figures was ten.

In 2015, there were six cases which lead to evidential difficulties which were victim based where the suspect was not identified, the crime was confirmed but the victim either declined or was unable to support further police investigation to identify the offender.

Last year the figure for this of cases was 30.

Alex Gray, service head of volunteering operations at Childline, said: “A young person may share a self-generated sexual image for many different reasons.

“Some may have sent an image for fun, or to a boyfriend or girlfriend which has then subsequently been shared without their consent. Others may have been groomed online or blackmailed into sharing this content. Many young people have told Childline about the devastating impact that having a nude image shared on the internet has had a on them. It can make them feel hopeless and unsure what to do or who to turn to for support.

“That’s why Childline and the Internet Watch Foundation have provided young people with a simple, safe tool that they can use to try and help them regain control over what is happening and get this content erased.

“Any young person under the age of 18 can use Report Remove by visiting childline.org.uk to report a nude image or video of themselves that’s appeared online or an image that they are worried might appear online. The IWF will then work to have the content removed if it breaks the law.

“At Childline we also want to remind all young people that they do not need to deal with this situation alone and that our Childline counsellors are always here to listen and help provide support.”