ARThe UK Safer Internet Centre has recently released a report examining sextortion cases handled by SWGfL’s Revenge Porn Helpline from August 2022 to August 2024. The study, based on the experiences of 127 victims, sheds light on the psychological and legal challenges associated with sextortion and underscores the need for coordinated preventative measures across social, legal, and digital platforms.
This report follows a roundtable event hosted in London earlier this year, where experts and industry leaders convened to discuss the findings and explore strategies for addressing sextortion. The event was a call to action for stakeholders to adopt proactive solutions to combat this growing digital threat.
Key Findings Around Sextortion Trends
The report identifies trends within sextortion cases. Among the individuals who were affected:
- Demographics: Young men are disproportionately targeted, with 85% of individuals identifying as male and 64% aged 18–34.
- Platforms: Perpetrators typically initiate contact on social media or dating platforms, exploiting platform functionalities to intimidate individuals online. A staggering 92% of cases involved content shared on social media platforms.
- Tactics: Offenders frequently employ “cross-platform behaviour,” switching between services to avoid detection and intensify their coercion.
As the report highlights, this cross-platform approach allows perpetrators to evade accountability, leaving those targeted increasingly vulnerable and unsure of where to go for support.
The Psychological Impact
Responses to the survey revealed that the emotional and psychological repercussions of sextortion are profound. Those who were targeted reported severe distress characterised by:
- Anxiety and Uncertainty: Many individuals remain in a state of fear, unsure whether their intimate content has been publicly shared. While 22% confirmed their content was leaked, 54% were uncertain, exacerbating their emotional turmoil.
- Isolation and Helplessness: Individuals often feel unsupported and hesitant to report incidents, fearing stigma or dismissal by law enforcement.
- Long-Term Effects: The prolonged anxiety and lack of resolution can lead to lasting mental health impacts.
The recommendations of the Sextortion report highlight the urgent need for victim-centered support mechanisms that address the psychological aftermath of sextortion effectively.
Legal Barriers to Justice
One of the most pressing challenges identified in the report is the inadequate response from law enforcement:
- Only 24% of those targeted received any follow-up from police after reporting their cases.
- Among the 127 cases examined, just one perpetrator was successfully convicted.
- Cross-Border Challenges: Many sextortion operations are based outside the UK, complicating law enforcement efforts due to jurisdictional barriers and limited international cooperation.
The report stresses that these systemic issues leave individuals without recourse and embolden offenders to continue their exploitation unchecked.
A Call for Action
The Sextortion Report underscores the need for comprehensive action to address the multifaceted nature of sextortion. Key recommendations include:
- Government and Policy: Strengthen legislation and international cooperation to address cross-border crimes.
- Law Enforcement: Increase training for police to better handle sextortion cases and provide more consistent follow-up.
- Education and Awareness: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate individuals about the risks of sextortion and how to seek help.
- Digital Platform Accountability: Hold social media and dating platforms accountable for implementing stronger safeguards against exploitation.
- Victim Support: Establish accessible, trauma-informed support services to help those targeted navigate the emotional and legal challenges of sextortion.
