What to Do about Sextortion in 2022?

Sextortion is a type of online blackmail where someone threatens to release private, sexually explicit photos or videos of you unless you pay them money. While sextortion has become increasingly common in recent years as more and more people engage in online activities like video chat and sending sexually explicit photos and videos. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on what to do about sextortion in 2022 if you ever become a victim.

What Does Sextortion Mean?

Sextortion is a type of online blackmail where someone threatens to release private, sexually explicit photos or videos of you unless you pay them money. The perpetrator may claim to have hacked your computer or phone and obtained the images or videos through that means. Or, they may threaten to release images or videos that you shared with them willingly if you don’t pay up. Either way, the goal of the perpetrator is the same: to get you to pay them money in exchange for not releasing the images or videos. In some cases, the perpetrator may also demand additional sexual favors in exchange for not releasing the images or videos. Sextortion can be incredibly damaging both emotionally and financially. In addition to the obvious emotional trauma of having private, sexual images or videos released without your consent, victims of sextortion may also face financial ruin if they’re forced to pay the perpetrator’s demands. In some cases, victims have even been driven to suicide as a result of online sextortion.

How Does Sextortion Work?

Sextortion can happen in many ways. The most common way blackmail can occur is by sextortionists disguising their identities online and manipulating and coercing their victims into sending explicit content. Their plan consists of creating dozens of fake profiles on social media, gaming sites, dating apps, and more to lure in as many people as they can and form connections that lead to extortion. The connection could either start off sexual right away and the idea of exchanging content is brought up fairly quickly, or a sextortionist will build a connection over a period of time which makes their victims believe they can trust them and makes them more willing to share sensitive information and content.

What To Do About Sextortion?

If you are being blackmailed with intimate photos or videos, the first thing you should do is reach out to a trusted friend or family member for support. It’s important to have someone to talk to who can help you through this difficult time. Next, you should contact law enforcement. Sextortion is a crime, and it is important to report it so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice. If a minor is involved you can also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) for additional resources and support. Finally, take measures to secure your online accounts and devices. This includes creating strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible, and being careful about what personal information you share online. For more tips on how to stay safe online, check out our blog post on internet safety tips for kids and adults. Conclusions Sextortion is a serious crime that can have lasting effects on its victims. If you or someone you know is being blackmailed with intimate photos or videos, it’s important to reach out for help. There are many resources available to victims of sextortion, so please don’t hesitate to seek out the support you need. Remember: you are not alone. We hope this blog has given you solutions on what to do about sextortion if you are a victim. Contact Our Sextortion Helpline