Sextortion is a type of blackmail when someone threatens to share nudes, semi-nudes, sexual information, or videos of someone unless the victim pays money or agrees to do something else, such as share more images.
Sextortion is a crime and can be committed by individuals or by a group of people working together.
Words linked to sextortion which you might have heard of before: ‘Sexual blackmail’ ‘leaking’ ‘exposing someone’ ‘unknowns in your DMs’.
Questions you may have
Sextortion can happen to anyone. But, recent reports have shown that boys are more likely to be targeted with financial sextortion, something which is on the increase.
The motive behind sextortion is usually to get money. However, it could be to force someone to do something else they do not want to do, such as sharing more images.
Sextortion takes place online. Criminals often target people through social media, dating apps or video calls.
The criminal might get the photos and videos by:
- Tricking someone into believing they were sharing them with someone they could trust.
- Taking screenshots from video calls or livestreaming without the person realising or consenting.
- Stealing them though hacking an account.
- Using digitally manipulated images, including AI-generated images.
Sometimes the criminal will pretend that they have intimate images even if they don’t.
Sometimes, sextortion can occur through catfishing. Catfishing is where a person is using a fake identity and pretending to be someone they are not. They might pretend to be someone of a different gender, age or appearance, or that they have interests similar to yours. Over time, that person will pretend to be a friend and might compliment and flatter someone to gain their trust.
Sextortion might start by receiving a message from somebody. They may use catfishing to pretend to be someone they are not. They may share an image and then ask for, and may put pressure on someone to send, personal intimate images or videos back. They will threaten to share these images or videos online, or with friends and family, if the person doesn’t do what they want, e.g. if they don’t send them money.
- If an online friendship moves very fast and they quickly try to create a ‘connection’ or close relationship with you. They may tell you that they like you and be very complimentary and flirty.
- Sending you a sexual image, supposedly of themselves
- Asking for you to send them a sexual or non-sexual image or video of yourself, including your face.
- Asking you to go live, video call, Facetime or go on webcam for them.
- Pressuring you to do something you don’t feel comfortable with.
- Asking you for lots of details, including personal information.
- Saying or doing things that make you feel worried, anxious or unsure.
- Saying they’ve hacked you or that they have access to your contact list.
Don’t blame yourself – this is not your fault. You might be feeling worried, embarrassed, and scared you are going to get into trouble, but remember that help and support is available.
You are not alone, and it is never too late to get help.
Tell a trusted adult as soon as possible, such as a parent or carer, teacher, support worker or youth worker. You could also call Childline on 0800 1111 or use The Mix – Essential support for under 25s online chat.
If there are nude images of you being shared use Report Remove. This is a tool run by Childline where you can report a nude image or video of yourself. When you report the content, the team will work hard to take it down.
Stop all communication with anyone who is blackmailing you. Do not pay any money or accept their demands.
Where possible, save the evidence. This could be taking screenshots of the person’s profile, messages which have been sent, their username, email address, phone number and bank details if they provided them.
Don’t delete the messages, images or videos you have sent, as these could be useful when reporting.
Report what has happened.
Talk to a trusted adult and report it together through:
- The police on 101
- CEOP Safety Centre
- The social media platform/s the person has contacted you on
If you have been blackmailed by somebody you know, it is not your fault and you should reach out for help and support as soon as possible. This behaviour is a form of online sexual harassment and online bullying. It is not acceptable.
You can block the person blackmailing you and report them to the safety team of the platform you have been contacted through. As well as taking these steps it is also important to talk to someone, such as a parent, carer, teacher, youth worker or a child helpline like Childline.
You can find advice around Online Sexual Harassment here.
You can find advice around Online Bullying here.
Talk to a trusted adult as soon as possible, this might be a parent or carer, teacher, support worker, youth worker etc. You could also call Childline on 0800 1111.
Report together.
If you feel unable or nervous to talk on the phone, both Childline and The Mix also have an online chat function:
- Speak To Our Team | Support For Mental Health & Other Issues | The Mix
- 1-2-1 counsellor chat | Childline
If you are feeling overwhelmed and like you can’t cope, you can call:
- HOPELINEUK 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans 116 123
- Text SHOUT to Shout’s text line 85258
If you have seriously hurt yourself or are thinking about suicide you can:
- Call 999 and ask for an ambulance
- Tell an adult you trust and ask them to call 999
Top Tips
- Don’t blame yourself – If you are a victim of sextortion, remember it is not your fault.
- Save the evidence – Take screenshots of any messages or information you have been sent and don’t delete the chat.
- Stop communication – If someone is blackmailing you, do not send them any further messages or the money they are requesting.
- Report it – if you or someone you know has been a victim of sextortion, tell a trusted adult and report to the police or CEOP.
- Speak to someone – It can be difficult to talk about sextortion, but speaking to someone can help. You could ask a friend to support you when talking to an adult.
