Sextortion

Find information, resources, and how to get help if you have been a victim of sextortion.

What Is Sextortion?

Sextortion is a serious crime that takes place when someone threatens to share pictures or video of you if you don’t give them what they want. They may demand money, crypto, sex acts, or intimate pictures. They may threaten to harm you, your friends, or relatives unless you do as they say.

If this happens to you or to someone you know, it is not your fault. You are not committing a crime. There is help.

2019-2021: Sextortion has more than doubled

Take Action

Reach Out

NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Endangered Children)
gethelp@ncmec.org | 1-800-843-5678

FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Contact your local FBI field office | 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)

Report It

Make a report to NCMEC's Cybertipline at report.cybertip.org. Each report is reviewed and made available to the appropriate law-enforcement agency for possible investigation. NCMEC also provides assistance and support to victims and families, such as crisis intervention and local counseling referrals.

Report it to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.

Remove Online Images

NCMEC can also help you get images off the web. Additionally, learn how to notify companies yourself of explicit content or visit cybertipline.org to report it to NCMEC for help with the process to remove images.

Also, see the FBI's Victim Services Division and CPVA program for assistance and support.

Education

NetSmartz is NCMEC’s free, online safety education program that has resources for people of all ages, including information on sextortion.

The FBI provides information about sextortion, what kids and caregivers need to know, and resources to get help.

More Resources - NCMEC

Information referenced from NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Endangered Children) Website

NCMEC’s CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. The public and electronic service providers can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet.

Is Your Image Out There? Get Support

One of the worst things about having an explicit image online is feeling like you’re facing everything alone. But you have people who care for you and want to help. Reach out to them! A trusted adult can offer advice, help you report it, and help you deal with other issues. It could be your mom, dad, an aunt, a school counselor, or anyone you trust and are comfortable talking to. You can also “self report” by making a report on your own to the CyberTipline.

Families of exploited children often feel alone in their struggle and overwhelmed by the issues affecting their lives. NCMEC provides assistance and support to victims and families, such as crisis intervention and local counseling referrals to appropriate professionals. Additionally, NCMEC’s Team HOPE is a volunteer program that connects families to others who have experienced the crisis of a sexually exploited child.

Don't Give Up

Having a sexually exploitative image of yourself exposed online is a scary experience. It can make you feel vulnerable and isolated, but remember, others have been in the same situation as you – and they’ve overcome it. Learn the steps you can take to limit the spread of the content.

More Resources - FBI

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This project was supported by Grant No. PROJ015143 awarded by the N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission as the State Administering Agency for funds awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication, program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission or the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime.