In a harrowing and revealing account, musician Anna Downes has spoken out about her experience of cyberflashing, an increasingly prevalent issue where individuals receive unsolicited explicit images. Anna, who is a professional violinist and teacher from Worcestershire, described her ordeal as feeling ignored and even treated like a nuisance by the West Mercia Police after reporting the crime. She waived her right to anonymity to raise awareness about the seriousness of cyberflashing, which has only been classified as a crime in the UK since January 2023.
In September 2025, Anna reported that a man, Ben Gunnery, with whom she had shared only a brief acquaintance at a concert, began sending her explicit messages and images without her consent. Following several inappropriate messages late at night, including a harrowing apology claimed to be sent in a drunken state, Anna felt violation and shock. She described the emotional toll this took on her, leading to sleep disturbances and persistent recollections of the images she received.
Anna felt compelled to report the incident to the West Mercia Police, providing them with substantial evidence, including the explicit images, links to Gunnery’s social media accounts, and his work details. However, her effort was met with frustration as nearly half a year passed before any substantial action was taken; Gunnery was only arrested and convicted after Anna engaged with the media for assistance. During the interim period, from September to January, she reached out over twenty times to the police for updates, only to be met with civil disinterest and bureaucratic delays that often left her feeling even more disheartened.
The case took a dramatic turn when, after contacting the BBC, both police forces were prompted to take more decisive action. West Mercia Police eventually transferred Anna’s case to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in Gunnery’s arrest and subsequent trial where he was found guilty of intentionally sending the explicit images to cause alarm and humiliation.
During the trial, Gunnery, who had a history of similar offenses, claimed that he had struggled with a cocaine addiction. He stated he had intended to send the explicit images to his partner instead of Anna. Regardless, the judge deemed it imperative to highlight the impact of Gunnery’s actions on Anna, who expressed her determination that such behavior must not be trivialized. She has called for serious accountability for cyberflashing cases and for victims to be treated with respect by authorities.
Reflecting on her experience, Anna highlighted the feelings of frustration and insignificance she faced while pursuing justice. She felt that her case did not seem to be taken seriously enough, causing her to feel gaslit by the police. Indeed, she felt the lack of urgency from West Mercia Police represented a systemic problem within law enforcement regarding how crimes against women, particularly those like cyberflashing, are handled.
In light of her experience and inspired by other women who have spoken up about similar incidents, Anna decided that remaining silent was not an option. She wanted to encourage other victims to come forward, assuring them that they are not alone and that acts of this nature are unacceptable. Recognizing the trend of dismissive attitudes toward such offenses, particularly as many women have reported similar dismissals from police forces, Anna’s testimony calls for a cultural shift in how society addresses and reacts to instances of sexual harassment and cybercrime.
Downes’ story serves as an essential reminder of the personal toll these incidents take and the urgent need for improvements in policing and societal attitudes toward sexual offenses, particularly as they increasingly manifest through digital media. Her resolve to seek justice and advocate for victims is a notable part of her narrative and strengthens the call for systemic change in how such crimes are reported, treated, and prosecuted.
