What is sextortion?
The term “sextortion” refers to the act of threatening someone with sharing their sexually explicit photos or videos online, in order to force them to perform certain actions 1. For example, the person making the threats may seek more sexual photos or videos, sexual favors or money in return 1, 2, 3.
Sextortion can have a number of consequences on the lives of victims 4. These include feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, a negative self-image and distrust of others 4. Sextortion is also a relatively widespread phenomenon. Indeed, the organization Cyberaide claims that cases of sextortion have increased by 88% since the pandemic 5. Given the seriousness and prevalence of sextortion, it is imperative that preventive measures be put in place to help young people identify this type of violence.
What makes young people more vulnerable to sextortion?
In certain life contexts, some people may be more vulnerable and therefore more exposed to the risks of exploitation, such as sextortion. Identifying these vulnerability factors helps to understand sextortion situations. It also makes it possible to identify intervention targets to reduce the likelihood of a person being subjected to sextortion.
For example, people in precarious situations (poverty, housing problems, difficulty finding a job, etc.) would be at greater risk. People facing psychological or physical challenges, such as substance abuse problems or mood disorders like depression, would also be more vulnerable 6. Certain issues related to the social environment can also have an impact on an individual's resilience. These include family and relational conflicts, neglect, sexual abuse within the family and various types of violence 6. It is also crucial to understand existing power dynamics, such as racism or sexism, which exacerbate the vulnerability of girls, particularly those from racialized minority groups.
In short, it is necessary to consider the context of a sextortion victim's life, in order to become aware of the factors that may contribute to his or her vulnerability.
The importance of not holding victims responsible
It's important to understand how society is holding girls responsible for sextortion and the non-consensual sharing of explicit photos. In Quebec, various prevention and awareness campaigns run by municipal police authorities use fear to sensitize young people. Alarmist discourses are used, suggesting that young girls risk ruining their lives by sending this type of content 7. These discourses portray the experience as particularly humiliating. This type of discourse, although well-intentioned, is based on sexist stereotypes. It helps perpetuate the idea that girls' sexuality is something to be ashamed of, that a mistake or a misplaced gesture of confidence deserves to be socially punished. These sexist and alarmist discourses risk worsening the experience of victimized girls by accentuating their guilt and distress rather than offering them hope of restoring their dignity 7. Yet shame should never rest on the shoulders of victims, but rather on those who engage in sextortion. It's time to change our perspective and offer more support to victims.
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Key messages: Rather than moralizing, let's support. Rather than blaming, let's make aggressors responsible. Rather than scaring potential victims or victims, give them tools. |
It would therefore be far more appropriate to run awareness campaigns that emphasize hope and support. Victims need to know that they are not alone, that there are resources to support them, and that it is possible to recover. Rather than fueling fear and shame, these campaigns should focus on empathy, solidarity and access to concrete solutions.
It is also essential to make people who sextort or share intimate content without consent aware of the consequences of their actions. This includes an understanding of the negative repercussions on victims' health, as well as clear information on the legal implications of non-consensual sharing of sexual content.
What can be done for victims of sextortion?
Sending intimate images before the age of 18 can have legal implications. However, it is essential to know that it is always possible and strongly recommended to seek help. No victim should have to face a sextortion situation alone. Several organizations are available to support people involved in this type of situation:
Tel-Jeunes offers a chat platform between teenagers or with counsellors. A phone line is also available to speak to a counsellor in complete confidentiality. For young people who prefer to ask questions at their own pace, an online forum covers topics related to adolescence, sexuality and well-being, and answers the most frequently asked questions.
NeedHelpNow offers clear and accessible legal information, while allowing users to report publications of intimate images without consent so that they can be removed from the platforms. This resource also enables users to contact professionals to discuss their options, regain control of the situation and be supported every step of the way. Additional resources, such as victim support services and therapeutic resources, are also accessible via this website.
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Key messages: Offering help means helping a victim regain control of his or her life. You can make a real difference. Listening, supporting and guiding: these are simple but essential gestures that can transform a trajectory. |
To cite this article: Belzile, É., Doucet Pichette, L., Labbé, M., Lavenne, Z., & Fernet, M. (2025, July 28). Sextortion: Assisting victims to regain their control. TRACE Blog. https://natachagodbout.com/en/blog/sextortion-assisting-victims-regain-…
This blog article was written as part of the Sexual and Interpersonal Victimization course taught by Chloé Desjardins at UQAM in the Fall of 2024. The publication of this article was made possible thanks to our partner, the Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), and the Fonds de recherche du Québec.
- 1a1bHenry, N., Flynn, A. & Powell, A. (2018). Policing image-based sexual abuse: Stakeholder perspectives. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal, 19(6), 565–581. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2018.1507892
- 2McGlynn, C., Rackley, E. & Houghton, R. (2017). Beyond ‘revenge porn’: The continuum of image-based sexual abuse. Feminist Legal Studies, 25, 25-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10691-017-9343-2
- 3Paat, Y.-F. & Markham, C. (2021). Digital crime, trauma, and abuse: Internet safety and cyber risks for adolescents and emerging adults in the 21st Century. Social Work in Mental Health, 19(1), 18‑40. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2020.1845281
- 4a4bFletcher, R., Tzani, C. & Ioannou, M. (2024). Consequences of online sextortion on victims: Findings from open-access data and an online survey. Assessment and Development Matters, 16(2), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpsadm.2024.16.2.36
- 5Slugosky, K. (2021, March 9). Child luring and sextortion cases online spikes since start of pandemic. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/7683360/covid-19-child-luringsextortion-online-cases/
- 6a6bTatu, Anne. (2022). Exploitation sexuelle des mineures au Québec : Tour d’horizon. Les acteurs en place et les mécanismes d’emprise et de déprise [Master’s thesis, University of Ottawa]. https://doi.org/10.20381/ruor-28553
- 7a7bMercier, É. (2021). Humiliation, responsabilisation et moralisation dans les discours sur le partage d’images intimes chez les jeunes. Revue Jeunes et Société, 3(1), 56–77. https://doi.org/10.7202/1075768ar
