Special Report: Sextortion

Special Report: Sextortion—what you need to know

According to the eSafety Commissioner, ‘sextortion’ is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share intimate images of you unless you give in to their demands.

Since mid 2021 and the beginning of 2022, there has been a 400% increase in sextortion crimes being reported to the police in Australia alone. However, these figures are being replicated in most western countries.

Although this has been an issue for over a decade, originally the victims were usually adults. However, more recently the targeted victims have been young adolescent males, but that is not to say that young females are not also targeted. It is therefore, vitally important for adult carers to be aware of this serious issue and to start having an age appropriate conversation as early as possible.

Some viewers may find segments of the information presented in this Special Report distressing or confronting. However, the main focus is to alert not alarm parents and caregivers. It is suitable for all adult carers whose children use online accounts to connect on social media, chat apps, instant messaging platforms or online games.

Here is the link to the special report https://sfx.act.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-sextortion