Pietro De Sanctis
Staff reporter
According to an FBI article “Sextortion is a serious crime that occurs when someone threatens to distribute your private and sensitive material if you don’t provide them images of a sexual nature, sexual favors, or money”. It is a form of sexual exploitation that can have devastating consequences for the victim, both emotionally and financially.
One of the most significant issues with sextortion is the fact that it often goes unreported. This can be due to the victim feeling ashamed or embarrassed about the situation, or because they fear retaliation from the perpetrator.
Conforming to a GlobalNews.ca report this crime began gaining attention after the death of the 15-year-old Amanda Todd, from Port Coquitlam,B.C., who killed herself because her private images were posted online by an anonymous Cyberbully after she posted a video that reported what was happening to her using flash cards. In the video she said that because of one picture her life changed completely, she lost her friends, their respect, she had to change several schools and even cities, until she couldn’t handle it anymore.
On one of the flash cards she wrote: “I have nobody… I need someone…”. Additionally, many victims may not even be aware that they are being extorted and may believe that they are in a consensual relationship with the perpetrator.
It is also alarming that technology and the internet are being used as tools by perpetrators to commit sextortion. The anonymity and ease of communication provided by the internet make it easier for predators to target potential victims and to extort them through various means such as social media, dating apps, and hidden cameras. This highlights the importance of educating individuals, especially young people, about the dangers of sharing personal information and images online, and the importance of being cautious when communicating with strangers.
It is also important that society takes sextortion seriously and that stricter laws and harsher penalties are put in place to deter would-be offenders. The victims of sextortion should also be provided with necessary support and assistance to help them recover emotionally and financially. In fact as stated in a TrycityNews article a message has been sent to parents living in the School District 43 area which says: “Speak up”. This message was sent because Coquitlam RCMP’s CP. Alexa Hodgins said there was a 150 per cent increase in youth of all genders being sextorted between December 2021 and May 2022.
In conclusion, sextortion is a serious crime that affects a significant number of individuals, mainly women and children. It is essential for society to recognize it as a problem and work together to prevent it and support the victims. It starts by educating the young generation about the dangers of the internet and social media, and the importance of keeping personal information private.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63218797
https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/newss-what-is-sextortion/view