Sextortion on the rise
by Chelsey Mutter · CastanetMounties are warning the public that sextortion and other forms of online exploitation are on the rise and specifically targeting young men and boys.
Vernon RCMP say sextortion is a form of blackmail where sexual content is used to extort something, usually money, from a victim.
Typically, a victim is contacted by someone posing as an attractive woman who coerces the victim into providing nude or sexual images or videos – they then threaten to share the material unless their demands are met. The exploitation can lead to severe emotional distress, depression, social withdrawal, financial loss and self harm or suicide.
“These crimes often start with seemingly innocent conversations that quickly turn exploitive,” said Corp. Ashley Fast with the Vernon RCMP Special Victims Unit. “We need to talk about this and get it out in the open. We need kids and parents to know about it, understand the danger, and make online safety a regular and normal part of everyday discussions.
Mounties say people should avoid sharing personal information like a real name or address, and trust instincts – if something feels wrong it probably is. People should ask for help from a trusted adult, parent of teacher if they feel threatened or uncomfortable, and report inappropriate content through reporting tools within apps or games.
Parents should maintain open communication with their children to encourage sharing online experiences without fear of punishment. They should also know the apps and games their children are using, help set privacy settings on apps and games, monitor online use, and talk openly about the dangers of interacting with strangers online.
Mounties say people who are targeted should immediately end the conversation, and should not comply with the threat – sending money or more images will not solve the problem. Anyone targeted should also tell a parent or trusted adult, save the conversation and record usernames, account info, images and videos, and report the situation to the police.
"We want our kids to know that if it does happen, they don’t need to suffer in silence," said Fast.
“They’re never alone and there are people and resources to help them. Social media is a large part of our teens’ lives. By staying informed and involved, parents and kids can work together to create a safer online environment and protect them from sextortion or other forms of exploitation.”
The following resources and additional information on ways to keep teens safe online were listed by RCMP: