Raising Awareness About Sextortion

Sextortion is a form of online blackmail, (also known as webcam blackmail), a form of intimate image abuse. Victims are tricked or coerced into sharing explicit images or videos, which are then used to demand money or further content. This crime is often carried out by criminals who create fake profiles on social media, dating apps, or gaming platforms to gain trust before exploiting their victims.

Cases of sextortion are increasing, men are especially affected, young people and young adults are also at greater risk. Many victims feel ashamed or afraid to seek help, which can lead to severe emotional distress. By raising awareness, people can understand the risks, recognise warning signs, and know what steps to take if they or someone they know is affected.

In 2022, 31% of all cases reported to the Revenge Porn Helpline were sextortion cases. Of these, 92% of victims of sextortion identified as male.

How sextortion happens – Scammers often pose as a potential friend or romantic interest before pressuring individuals to share explicit content.

How to stay safe online –

• Review privacy settings on social media or other online accounts
• Consider making accounts private, or restricting who can see the content posted
• Be aware of the risks: having intimate video calls or sharing personal images isn't bad or wrong. Just be aware of the risks: how well do you really know this person, and can you really trust they're who they say they are?
• If an image is sent to someone, consider using the Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (StopNCII) tool to prevent your images being shared online

What to do if targeted – Do not comply with demands, stop all communication with the blackmailer, and report the incident. If someone has posted sexual images or videos online, you can report the perpetrator to the websites/social media platforms and ask them to remove the content. The website Report Harmful Content lists the most commonly used social networking sites and how to contact them.

Support available – Seek help from professionals if you feel threatened or distressed. Help is available from the National Crime Agency, Revenge Porn Helpline, or the Safeguarding and Prevent Team at t2.