How to Report Sextortion?

Sextortion is a type of blackmail in which someone threatens to share sexually explicit images or videos of you with your friends, family, or the public unless you provide them with money, sexual favors, or other compromising material. It can be a very frightening experience. Thankfully, there are ways that you can report sextortion and get help. It is imperative the victims of sextortion know they are not alone, and there are people who can help them through this tough time.

If you are a victim of sextortion, you should first reach out to a trusted friend or family member. This person can provide you with emotional support and help you figure out what to do next. It is also important to save any and all evidence of the sextortion. This can include emails, text messages, social media messages, and images or videos. This evidence will be crucial in helping law enforcement catch the person who is blackmailing you.

Once you have gathered evidence and found support, you should reach out to law enforcement. You can file a report with your local police department or the FBI. If you are not sure who to contact, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can help put you in touch with the right people. They can also provide you with confidential support and resources.

In this article, we will discuss how you can report sextortion and how you can stop it.

Part 1: Method 1: How to report sextortion to authorities?

If you are a victim of sextortion, you must reach out to authorities. You can file a report with your local police department or the FBI. If you are not sure who to contact, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can help put you in touch with the right people.

There are a few things you can do to try and stop sextortion. First, if you have already paid the person blackmailing you, try and get your money back by contacting your bank or filing a police report. You should also change all of your passwords and security questions for your online accounts. This will help prevent the person from reaccessing your accounts. Finally, reach out to a trusted friend or family member for support.

At first, we recommend you go to your local police department and ask to file a report. The police will ask you several questions and collect evidence to support your case. When you contact the police, be sure to have as much information as possible, including any screenshots or messages that have been sent to you. It is also helpful to keep a record of any money that you have paid or anything else that you have done as a result of the blackmail.

You can also contact the FBI if the person blackmailing you is located in another state or country. Contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or report the crime online at tips.fbi.gov. The FBI agents are experienced in handling sextortion cases and will work to get you the help and support you need. They have helped thousands of young people. The FBI is committed to finding the person responsible for the harassment, arresting them, and assisting you in getting all of the support you require.

Part2: Method 2: How to report sextortion on social platforms?

If you are being blackmailed on social media, the first thing you should do is take a screenshot of the messages. You can then report the user to the platform that they are using. Most social media platforms have a way to report users sending abusive or harassing messages.

Facebook:

To report someone on Facebook, go to their profile and click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. From there, select "Report." Next, Facebook will ask you to choose a reason for reporting the user and then give you the option to block them. Facebook doesn’t allow anyone to force somebody else to share intimate photographs or films. It is against the Community Standards set by Facebook. It may also be a violation of law in certain situations. For information on reporting an image, go to the Help Center. If you're worried about your personal safety, call law enforcement in your area.

Instagram:

To report someone on Instagram, go to their profile and click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. From there, select "Report." Next, Instagram will ask you to select a reason for why you're reporting the user and then give you the option to block them.

Twitter:

To report someone on Twitter, go to their profile and click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. From there, select "Report." Twitter will ask you to select a reason for why you're reporting the user and then give you the option to block them.

Here are some other things you can do:

1. Don't panic. This can be a very frightening experience, but it is important to try and stay calm.
2. Reach out to someone you trust for support. This could be a friend, family member, teacher, or counselor.
3. Change your passwords and security questions for all of your online accounts.
4. File a police report.
5. Check out organizations that can help, such as the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.

Part 3: How to put out the fire at the very beginning?

The best way to deal with sextortion is to prevent it from happening in the first place.  Here are some things you can do to protect yourself:

1. Don't take or send nude photos or videos. If you've already sent them, delete them from your phone and all of your social media accounts.
2. Don't share personal information, such as your address, phone number, or social media handles, with people you don't know.
3. Don't meet up with people you've met online. If you decide to meet someone in person, make sure to meet in a public place and take a friend or family member with you.
4. Be careful about what you post on social media. Don't post anything that you wouldn't want the world to see.
5. If you're being blackmailed, don't give in to the demands. This will only make the situation worse.
6. Change your passwords and security questions for all of your online accounts.
7. Report the incident to authorities and reach out to a trusted friend or family member for support.
8. For parents, we recommend you install parental control apps like FamiSafe from Wondershare on your kids' phones to monitor their online activities and prevent them from being sextorted. FamiSafe is a great app that can help you track your kids' location, monitor their social media activity, and block inappropriate websites. Furthermore, you will be alerted if someone sends them a suspicious text, email, sexually explicit images, or videos. FamiSafe is easy to use and is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Here is the video explaining extortion in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to stop sextortion?

There are a few things you can do to stop sextortion from happening. First, don't take or send nude photos or videos. If you've already sent them, delete them from your phone and all of your social media accounts. Second, don't share personal information with anyone online, such as your address, phone number, or social media handles. And third, if you are being sextorted, don't respond to the demands or pay the ransom. Instead, report it to the authorities.

2. How do I report sextortion?

Reporting sextortion can be difficult, but it is crucial. You can report sextortion to the police, your Internet service provider (ISP), or a child protection organization. The best way to report sextortion depends on the situation and where the photos or videos were taken. If you are in the United States, you can file a report with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You can also contact your state's attorney general's office or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). In Canada, you can report sextortion to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

3. How long does sextortion last?

Sextortion is typically a one-time experience whose trauma lasts just as long as extortion. But because the extortionist usually lures their victim into trusting them with explicit materials first, victims walk away from this type of blackmail more likely to engage in risky behaviors that can lead to other issues like pornography addiction and depression.

4. Should I ignore sextortion?

Sextortion is a crime, and you should never ignore it. If you're being blackmailed with sexually explicit images or videos, contact the police right away.

5. How do you get rid of sextortion?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to get rid of sextortion will vary depending on the situation. However, some tips on how to report sextortion and get help include contacting the police, speaking with a lawyer, or contacting a support hotline.

6. Do blackmailers ever stop?

A lot depends on the situation and what course of action is taken, but there are some ways to try and stop sextortion. If someone has been blackmailing you for sex or other favors, the best thing you can do is report this type of extortion to the police immediately. You should also try and collect as much evidence as possible, such as screenshots of communications or videos/images that were shared. This can be difficult, but it will help build a case against the blackmailer.

7. What to do if you are being sextorted online?

The first step is contacting law enforcement. Report the case of sextortion and make sure that you have saved all of the communications you have had with the person who is blackmailing you. This will help law enforcement build a case against the individual and possibly prosecute them. You should also contact your cell phone provider as they may be able to help block calls or messages from the blackmailer. If you have already paid the blackmailer, do not despair. There are still ways that you can get help. You can contact a victim advocate who can help you develop a safety plan and get the support you need. You can also file for a restraining order against the individual if they live near you.

Conclusion

Sextortion is a serious problem and can be a frightening experience. But there are ways to protect yourself and get help if it happens to you. By being aware of the risks and taking the necessary precautions—you can help prevent sextortion from happening in the first place. And if it does happen, don't hesitate to reach out to authorities and get support from someone you trust.

Joanne Croft

staff Editor