TxSSC

Predators or organized crime members can be extraordinarily patient, whether it is the grooming process, blackmailing to obtain more images, or holding onto pictures until there is a significant event in that person’s life (e.g. college acceptance, marriage, or a new job). While waiting, they obtain information about the victim from his or her contacts, social media, the dark web, family, or school. Then, they threaten to send the pictures to all the victim’s contacts unless they get paid with money, more images, videos, or sex. Never fall for these ploys. If you give into their demands, it will never end, even though they promise it will. This is their game and their business. Always involve law enforcement. Law enforcement understands that you are the victim, even if you originally shared a photo of yourself.

Watch the video below and ask yourself:

• How many types of social media were used?
• Why did the victims think they were safe?

Watch the video below and ask yourself:

• What cognitive biases does Ashley admit to having before being victimized?
• At the end of the video, what does Ashley share that she wished was true?

Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing global crimes, and organized crime members have become very active and proficient in sextortion. Both young people and adults across the world are targets, usually for money, but victims have also been forced into sex and committing crimes. Many suicides have been attributed to the desire to escape their or their family’s humiliation. They believe that nothing will ever change, and this will follow them forever. Though it may feel that way, the reality is that what is news today will not always be news. Think of any news story that made the headlines. Eventually, people barely have any memory of it. The truth is, regardless of what has happened, suicide is never the answer. If you are in this situation, talk with law enforcement, and with your parent or another trusted adult. You will get through this. If you need someone to talk to, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. People care about you. You are not alone.

Watch the video below and ask yourself:

• Do you think most teens have the maturity to resist Jess?
• What could you say to other teens to convince them of the dangers?

Resources for Fighting Sextortion

Two very good resources from the FBI are available to help you fight sextortion:

Do not allow criminals to win by falling for their ploys. The best way to protect yourself and minimize this from occurring is by being careful what you post online, and by not taking sexualized photos of yourself. Even if the photos never get sent, the iCloud and other storage clouds can be hacked. A few more tips from the FBI include:

• Avoiding oversharing on social media as it provides predators with a lot of information about you.
• Blocking or ignoring messages from anyone you do not know in real life.
• Understanding that pictures and videos do not prove a person’s identity. These can be stolen from other people’s accounts.
• Being wary of someone asking you to switch to another platform to continue chatting.
• Understanding that if you are in trouble, block the sender, report it to the site administrator, and ask for help from law enforcement and/or another trusted adult.

When potential employers or schools look at your digital profile, let them see the type of person they want on their team. Own your life, respect yourself, respect others, and educate those around you.

Fight sextortion and intimate image abuse through educating yourself and others. Would you want your little brother or sister sending out naked pictures? No. Talk with them about what can happen. Explain the importance of watching out for internet offers that seem too good to be true, that people will say anything and pretend to be anyone to get what they want, and to immediately report threats to a trusted adult and law enforcement.