The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has issued parents with a list of warning signs to look out for if they suspect their children to be victims of sextortion.
Sextortion, or sexual extortion, is a form of online blackmail where offenders trick or coerce someone into sending sexual images of themselves, before threatening to share the images unless their demands are met.
This stark warning follows recent data from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) that shows around 300 cases of sextortion involving children occurring each month.
Since the AFP-led ACCCE kicked off in 2018, 877 alleged offenders have been charged with more than 7,000 child abuse offences. However, reports of online child sexual exploitation have increased by more than 180 percent since 2018.
AFP Commander Human Exploitation Helen Schneider said a child’s safety is at risk when they are exposed to sextortion, with suicide and self-harm risks attributed to sextortion both overseas and in Australia.
“We want parents and carers to be alert to the signs, report, and seek help and guidance if they have been targeted by offenders,” Ms. Schneider said.
“If your child is or has been a victim, it is important to stay calm and reassure them that it’s not their fault and that there is help available.”
- Unsolicited friend or follow requests or random adds from people your child doesn’t know
- Sudden sexualised questions or conversation
- Instantly receiving sexual images from a fake profile who asks for the same from the child
- Getting a direct message on one app, then being asked to continue chatting on a different app
- Signs that English may be the second language of the person sending the messages
- The fake profile might say that their webcam or microphone is not working for video calls or chats to confirm their identity
- The fake profile says that they promise to delete your content
Sydney Man Jailed for Sextortion
On Dec. 13, 2023, a 22-year-old man from Western Sydney was sentenced to four years in jail for online child abuse offences, including the sextortion of a 12-year-old girl.The man pleaded guilty to five online child abuse offences, and one offence of possessing bestiality material.
A search warrant was issued at a Woodcroft address in July 2022, where three mobiles, which were found to contain child abuse material relating to two victims, were seized.
Upon being interviewed by AFP officers, the man admitted to soliciting and extorting sexually explicit material from minors through the social media application Snapchat.
The investigation was launched after a report was made in April 2022 about an alleged case of sextortion.
“This is a vile example of online sexual offending—a grown man preying on the innocence of a 12-year-old girl living on the other side of the country,” AFP Constable Emily McFarlane said.
“This is a growing trend and police efforts are focused on protecting Australia’s children from such an abhorrent crime.
“Sextortion can escalate in a matter of minutes, but it is important for children to remember it is not your fault and when you speak up, we will believe and support you.”
