What is Sextortion?

Sextortion can start on any site, app, or game. In many cases this crime starts when young people believe they are communicating with someone their own age who is interested in a relationship or with someone who is offering something of value. A predator swill use threats, gifts, money, flattery, lies, or other methods to get a young person to produce an image.

After the predators have one or more videos or pictures, they threaten to share or publish that content, or they threaten violence to get the victim to produce more images. The shame, fear, and confusion children feel when they area caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse. This handbook guides parents, caregivers and young people to better understand how sextortion occurs and how to openly discuss with family or a counselor.

Children of all ages in America possess or have access to a smart phone, the device most frequently used by predators and traffickers to access your children.