Detectives encourage victims of sextortion to come forward

Detectives from Northamptonshire Police are encouraging people who may have been victims of “sextortion” to come forward.

“Sextortion” is the word used to describe blackmail cases where someone is encouraged or tricked into sharing sexual images or videos.

The victim is then threatened with exposure unless they send the criminal money or continue sending them content.

The Force receives an average of four sextortion reports a week however we know that there will be far more people out there who have not yet come forward due to the nature of the crime leading to under-reporting.

In recent months, detectives have been investigating cases involving younger people, aged 16-20, who have been encouraged to send sexual photos and videos in exchange for money.

When the young person refuses to send further content, they are then blackmailed into doing so by the criminal who threatens to send recordings of videos or screenshots to the victim’s family and friends.

Detective Constable Charlotte Orr said: “We believe that a lot of sextortion offences go unreported because the victim feels too embarrassed to come forward.

“Sextortion has even been linked to suicide and self-harm because people feel trapped, unable to talk to anyone, or incapable of asking for help.

“We want to change that and let victims know that they should not feel ashamed in reporting a sextortion offence, regardless if money has already been exchanged, as it is a crime to blackmail someone.

“If you have shared intimate images and find yourself being blackmailed as a result, please report it immediately to the police and try not to panic - you are a victim and it is not your fault.”

If you have been a victim of sextortion, please report it to the police.

You are advised against submitting to the blackmailer’s demands or paying them any money as there’s no guarantee that offenders will not post the pictures or recordings, and are in fact more likely to come back with further demands.

It’s also advised to stop communicating with the blackmailer as replying indicates that you can be persuaded to pay up.

Instead, keep all the evidence of what has happened to you and report it to the police who as well as investigating what has happened, can also offer advice and help.

You can report sextortion to Northamptonshire Police by calling 101, or online here.