Sextortion - Opening the Discussion on Valentines Day

Last Tuesday was #SaferInternetDay but the discussion can continue on Valentines' Day.

Have you heard of financial sextortion? It is an online exploitation crime directed toward youth in which money is demanded from the victim. If it happens, there is help! The LAPD has a program, in addition to last week's recognition of #SaferInternetDay, to help teens who are being blackmailed online over nude images of themselves. As detailed on LAPD FB page: Facebook

Press Releases from National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Definition: Sextortion (missingkids.org)

• 2021 Sextortion: What Parents Should Know (missingkids.org)
• 2022
  • Sextortion: The Hidden Pandemic (missingkids.org)
  • Mom of a sextortion victim a lifeline for parents (missingkids.org)

Online Enticement: Red Flags

• Engaging in sexual conversation/role-playing as a grooming method, rather than a goal.
• Asking the child for sexually explicit images of themselves or mutually sharing images.
• Developing a rapport through compliments, discussing shared interests or “liking” their online post, also known as grooming.
• Sending or offering sexually explicit images of themselves.
• Pretending to be younger.
• Offering an incentive such as a gift card, alcohol, drugs, lodging, transportation or food.

What NCMEC is Doing About it

Creating a Place to Report

Since 1998, NCMEC has operated the CyberTipline®, to provide the public and electronic service providers with the ability to report suspected child sexual exploitation including online enticement of children for sexual acts, extra-familial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to children, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet. After NCMEC’s review is completed, the CyberTipline report is made available to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

To make a CyberTipline Report, visit report.cybertip.org.

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