Sextortion is a form of child sexual exploitation where children are threatened or blackmailed, most often with the possibility of sharing with the public a nude or sexual images of them, by a person who demands additional sexual content, sexual activity or money from the child. As a key prevention strategy, this page provides both youth and parents with information to recognize predators and their tactics, both for sexploitation and trafficking, and what to do if they are a victim of these crimes. Know that you are not alone and that help is available.
Video: Identifying predators
Sandy Dorton, Founder/CEO Project Shield shares insight into predators.
Click on images to enlarge, and click HERE to view PDFs in Spanish (coming soon)
Protective factors
Parents/caregivers and children have open, calm and judgment-free conversations about online safety and healthy relationships.
Parents/caregivers set boundaries and expectations around digital citizenship, tech use and screen time.
Youth understand that it is ok to ask for help, and that they will not get in trouble for seeking help and support.
Youth understand that their worth is never tied to attention, likes or money.
Note: for strategies on how to successfully listen to, and talk with youth about difficult topics, visit Beach Cities Health District Talk About It campaign.
Recommended education resource
NetSmartz is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help children be safer online with the goal of developing awareness of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.
for victims of sexploitation
Know that the blackmailer is to blame, not you. Even if you made a choice you regret, what they are doing is a crime.
Get help before deciding whether to pay money or otherwise comply with the blackmailer. Cooperating or paying rarely stops the blackmail.
REPORT the account via the platform’s safety feature.
BLOCK the suspect but DO NOT DELETE your profile or messages because that can be helpful in stopping the blackmailer.
Actions to take
Visit cybertipline.org to report the issue and access help with the process. Since 1998, NCMEC has operated the CyberTipline, a place where the public and electronic service providers can report suspected online and offline child sexual exploitation.
Visit Take It Down to help get explicit images removed from the internet.
Visit MissingKids.org/IsYourExplicitContentOutThere to learn how to notify companies.