Sinage for RCMP Detachment in downtown Whitehorse. Photo Courtesy: Nathan Jordan / CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – Today is Safer Internet Day and this year it is shining a light on the issue of youth sextortion in a bid to alert the public to the risks posed and how to respond to sextortion, cyberbullying and the unwanted sharing of intimate images or videos.
The prevalence of sextortion cases, as reported by Cybertip, the national tipline for child sextortion, underscores the gravity of the situation. The tipline reports that they receive an average of 10 child sextortion tips per day and that cases have risen by over 150 percent over the past six months.
Sextortion perpetrators usually use tactics to coerce people into submission by exploiting vulnerabilities and leveraging fear in order to get money or further sexual content from the victim. Usually, victims are led to believe they are engaging with peers.
Parents, guardians and educators play a major role in helping youth stay safe online and should have open talks about online safety, being vigilant with checking in on kids’ online activity and educating youth about how to respond.
Constable Carlie McCann, from the Whitehorse RCMP’s Community Policing Division, underscores the importance for parents or adult peers to help youth who may be victims by stressing that they are not the ones in the wrong.
“We want to figure out how to keep kids safe so if a kid comes to you and says that they have shared an image and they’ve realized that it was a mistake or that there might be a video out of them out there our goal is to figure out how to get that removed and taken down and not to get your kid or your teen in trouble,” said Constable McCann.
Constable McCann further emphasizes that victims should immediately cease communication with the perpetrators, preserve digital evidence through screenshots of conversations and avoid complying with threats as it usually only makes the situation worse.
“The biggest thing though is to reach out for help and report it,” said Constable McCann. “Talk to an adult that you trust. Talk to a support at school or a member of your family, an adult who you think can help guide you in that situation.”
There are many resources available for those racing sextortion including online supports such as NeedHelpNow.ca and Cybertip.ca. You can also access the Sexualized Assault Response Team in Whitehorse by calling 1-844-967-7275.
