Sextortion

Also known as:

sexual extortion
sexual exploitation
sexual coercion
cyber extortion

Risk

Type of risk: Cybercrime

Children and young people can be coerced into creating and sharing private or sexual material. They might not know they are being recorded or screenshotted. They might also share private or sexual material during a relationship.

This material can then be used to threaten them. For example, sharing an indecent image with their friends and family.

People can also source sexual imagery through:

hacking devices, for example, a webcam
hacking digital photo libraries
phishing attacks

Someone can blackmail someone else without actually possessing sexual imagery of them. They may threaten that they have this imagery because they claim they can access someone’s else’s accounts, files, or cameras.

It is illegal to share or threaten to share someone’s private or sexual materials without their consent. Blackmail is also a criminal offence.

all sections

Risks and motivations

Risks

Malware and viruses

Malware is malicious software. It is used to damage devices or steal information.

Someone may use malware as part of a sextortion process. For example, someone might email another claiming they have their sexual imagery. Attachments in the email could download malware onto a device if they are clicked.

Once downloaded, malware may give access to private photos or control of a webcam.

Upset and distress

Being a target for sextortion can be upsetting. Having sexual images shared without consent can have a lasting impact.

A young person might experience:

anxiety or depression
an impact on physical health
feelings of blame and guilt
financial harm, for example, if they are unable to work or use online spaces as normal

Coercion, grooming, and abuse

Sextortion could be a way to coerce or groom a child or young person for abuse.

A child or young person can feel shame, guilt, or fear after experiencing grooming or abuse. Other effects can include:

anger
depression
substance misuse
relationship issues
self-harm and suicidal thoughts

Breaking the law

Both blackmail and the sharing of private or sexual material of someone without their consent are criminal offences. It is also illegal for anyone to create, share, or possess nude imagery of someone under the age of 18.

Being found guilty of these offences can have legal consequences. These could involve a fine or a prison sentence.

Reputational damage and feeling embarrassed

A child or young person may worry about repercussions if their private or sexual material is shared online. This might include:

family
social groups
people at a school or college
work colleagues

They may worry that they will experience bullying and harassment. They could also feel embarrassed about the images, for example, if they are self-conscious or have concerns about body image.

Motivations

Reasons a child or young person may threaten to share, someone’s private or sexual material include:

to make money
to make them do something against their will
to troll or harass them
to humiliate or embarrass them
being bored or seeking attention
thinking it gives status
not being aware of the law

What you can do

You may be working with a child or young person who has been targeted by blackmail.

It is important that the child or young person should not be blamed. They have experienced a criminal offence and potentially abuse.

You should remind them about why their privacy and consent is important and should be respected by others.

In any situation which involves nude or sexual imagery of someone under the age of 18, GOV.UK advise that you

report it to your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent immediately.
never view, copy, print, share, store or save the imagery yourself, or ask a child to share or download it. This is illegal.
if you have already viewed the imagery by accident (for example, if a young person has shown it to you before you could ask them not to), report this to the DSL (or equivalent) and seek support.
do not delete the imagery or ask the young person to delete it.
do not ask the child/children or young person(s) who are involved in the incident to disclose information regarding the imagery.
do not share information about the incident with other members of staff, the young person(s) it involves or their, or other, parents and/or carers.
do not say or do anything to blame or shame any young people involved.
do explain to them that you need to report it and reassure them that they will receive support and help from the DSL (or equivalent).

GOV.UK also suggests that: “The designated safeguarding lead should be familiar with the full 2024 guidance from the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) and should not refer to this guidance instead of the full guidance.”

You might also be working with a young person who has shared (or has threatened to share) this material without someone’s consent.

If someone is under the age of 18, you should follow GOV.UKadvice. Non-consensual sharing of private, sexual imagery and blackmail are criminal offences.

If you think that a young person is at risk, follow your safeguarding procedure and read our safeguarding guidance.

Support

Share your experience of sextortion

You can tell us about: 

other terms you might have heard
conversations you’ve had with young people
a related platform or app
another related risk or harm

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