Sextortion Helpline
Our expert digital investigators are ready to protect your public image and prevent the leak of your intimate data. We can guide you on the steps you need to take, investigate your case, and provide a detailed report. You can reach our sextortion helpline anytime for a free consultation.
The FBI has seen a massive spike in reported online sextortion cases in recent years. There was a 20% jump in minor-related cases in 2023 versus 2022, which itself saw ten-times the reports of 2021. With numbers like these, it’s crucial to know how to shut down sextortion and where to turn to for help. Keep reading to learn more about available sextortion helplines.
Resources for Victims: Sextortion Helplines and Outlets
National Crisis Lifeline
The National Crisis Lifeline is a 24/7, confidential center that offers support and guidance to those experiencing extreme distress. The network consists of over 200 local centers to provide callers with local support that meets national standards.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
https://www.missingkids.org/home
The NCMEC is a non-profit organization that combats crimes that victimize minors, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM). You can report cases of minor sextortion through their CyberTipline. They also offer the Take It Down tool. This free service uses hash-based matching to remove CSAM and prevent it from being reposted.
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
The CCRI is a non-profit that defends against offenses that threaten civil liberties like non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse. The service offers educational material and advocates for legislative reform around cybercrime. They offer the CCRI Image Abuse Helpline, which has helped thousands of sextortion victims around the world.
Why Sextortion Helplines are Important
There are obvious factors to a sextortion response. You need to investigate the case and collect evidence quickly. It’s important to report the incident to law enforcement and the platform where it occurred.
But what’s less considered, yet equally important, is managing the emotions of victimhood. Not only does this impact your mental wellbeing, but also your ability to respond rationally. Sextortion helplines can help you process these feelings and provide judgement-free guidance to aid your recovery.
Next Step Report to National Authorities
In addition to calling a sextortion helpline, you should also report the situation to law enforcement. You’ll want to gather evidence before filing your report, and you may be unsure who you should report to. Sextortion helplines can help provide support and guidance as you navigate this process.
Depending on which country you are in, file a report to your national investigation agency. If the criminal resides in the same country as you, they will be able to help. Additionally, they may be able to coordinate internationally with other agencies.
- US — Report sextortion to the FBI by contacting your local field office, calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or by filing a report here. For minors, report sextortion cases to NCMEC by calling 1-800-THE-LOST or filing a report here.
- Canada — You can report sextortion to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or filing a report here. Minors can file reports through Cybertip.
- UK — The National Crime Agency provides resources to sextortion victims that can be found here. Minors can file reports through CEOP.
- AU — Australia’s eSafety Commissioner provides resources to sextortion victims that can be found here.
The laws and repercussions for sextortion vary in different areas. You can learn more by checking out our comprehensive expert guide on sextortion legislation.
Cracks in the Armor: The Vulnerabilities of a Sextortionist
A successful online sextortion scam relies heavily on two factors: emotional manipulation and online anonymity. Sextortionists manipulate their victims through a combination of profiling, manufacturing trust, and creating a sense of urgency through threats. This is effective against unsuspecting targets, but less so when waged at an individual who understands these tactics.
The second and strongest tool in a sextortionist’s bag is their ambiguity. With their real identity unknown, cybercriminals carry out their ploys without fear of being held accountable. But with access to the right resources, a victim can uncover their abuser’s identity and bring them to justice.
How Digital Investigators Can Exploit These Weaknesses
A sextortionist’s strategies may work on an internet user who is unfamiliar with their techniques. However, an experienced digital investigator can navigate this barrage and target the gaps in their façade with precision.
With advanced techniques and experience in metadata analysis and IP tracing, digital investigators can identify the geolocation, devices used, and ultimately the identity of the perpetrator. A sextortion helpline can help you connect with digital investigation experts you can trust.
Victim Help Options Comparison Table
| Help Option | Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement | Law enforcement agencies can investigate sextortion cases and charge the perpetrators responsible. | Depending on the location of the sextortionist, jurisdictional limitations may hinder the effectiveness of law enforcement. |
| Non-Governmental Organizations | NGOs can provide emotional support, advice, and resources for victims to help them deal with the psychological toll of sextortion. | The legal assistance of NGOs is typically confined to recommendations and connecting victims with advisors. |
| Lawyers | Sextortion lawyers can help advise victims on the legislation in their region, help build their case, and pursue legal protections on behalf of their clients. | A lawyer may be restricted in the legal action they can take based on the information the victim has on the perpetrator. Additionally, the protections they are able to obtain may be ineffective. |
| Digital Investigators | Through the use of advanced tools and techniques, digital investigators can uncover the IP address, geolocation, devices, and identity of a sextortionist. They can uncover or recover critical evidence and provide a detailed document that can be used for future legal proceedings. | Digital investigators can help you work around the limitations of other help resources. The findings of a reputable digital investigation firm can be used in conjunction with external services. Sextortion doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution, so consider the benefits of these services unexclusively. |
What to Do if You Are a Victim of Sextortion
Falling into sextortion may make you feel helpless, but there are steps you can take to gain control. A sextortion helpline can help walk you through this process. Remember you are not alone and there is help, but you need to act fast.
- Don’t Pay. The first thing you should know if you become a victim of sextortion is that you should never pay. Meeting their demands will not make them go away. It will only turn you into their cash cow.
- Reach Out to Sextortion Helplines. These organizations can help you collect your thoughts and choose a rational, effective path forward. Sextortion helplines may also be able to connect you with experts who can help investigate the case.
- Keep Communication Open. You don’t want to confront or comply with the sextortionist. However, ignoring them can spur retaliation. You should maintain the line of communication by employing delay tactics. Use this time to get the help you need.
- Collect Evidence. You will need proof to support your case. Take screenshots of any online accounts, messages, and shared content from the perpetrator. You will want to save these in a secure location.
How to Report Sextortion to Authorities and Platforms
- Reporting to Authorities. You should start by filing a police report with your local law enforcement. They can help you resolve the case or point you in the direction of the proper national agency.
- Reporting to Online Platforms. You can report cases of sextortion or other cybercrimes to the platform’s system administrator. This can help take down posts containing your explicit photos and the account that shared them. The process varies between platforms, but they follow a similar guideline.
- Snapchat. To report a story or snapchat conversation, press and hold it and click “Report Snap”. For additional instructions, read this article “Reporting Blackmail to Snapchat.”
- Instagram. To report a post or profile on Instagram, click the three dots in the top right corner. Then, select “Report”, and choose the reason for the report. For additional instructions, read this article “Reporting Blackmail to Instagram.”
- Facebook. To report a post or profile on Facebook, click the three dots in the top right corner. Next, select “Report post/profile”, and choose the reason for the report. To make a report in Messenger, open the conversation, click the person or chat name, and click “Report”. For additional instructions, read this article “Reporting Blackmail to Facebook.”
- Twitter/X. To report a post or profile on Twitter/X, click the three dots in the top right corner. Then, select “Report”, and choose the reason for the report. For additional instructions, read this article “Reporting Blackmail to Twitter.”
DOs and DON’Ts of Responding to Sextortion
| DO | DON’T |
|---|---|
| Do not cut off communication with the perpetrator; use a delaying tactic until you reach out for help. | Block the sextortionist until after the investigation. |
| Collect evidence of the crime. | Pay the sextortionist or entertain their demands. |
| Report the incident to the proper authorities. | Let shame or embarrassment stop you from asking for help. |
Prevention Strategies: Avoiding Sextortion Threats in the Future
The most effective way to stop sextortion is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Sextortion helplines can also be beneficial in providing safe practices to prevent future attacks. Our experts recommend taking the following precautionary measures.
- Use Heightened Privacy Settings. Each platform has settings that can help limit sextortionists from accessing your profile. Making your account private limits their ability to reach you. This stops them from gaining information to manipulate you, accessing your content, and contacting your followers.
- Avoiding Sharing Intimate Content Online. Sharing intimate content online is risky, even with known contacts and especially with strangers. Anyone can easily download and share photos from private or temporary conversations.
- Early Identification of Red Flags. Keep in mind the common sextortion tactics discussed above. Be cautious of new online contacts who seem too good to be true, request personal information, or pressure you to keep your interactions a secret.
Recap: Questions and Answers
- Q: What is Sextortion?
- A: Sextortion is a cybercrime where the perpetrator threatens to expose the victim’s sexually compromising data if they don’t meet certain demands.
- Q: Who is at risk of sextortion?
- A: All internet users can be victims of sextortion. However, younger users (teenagers to early 20s) get targeted at a higher rate than older users. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are especially at risk. Perpetrators can often leverage their sexuality alone.
- Q: How can I protect myself from sextortion?
- A: Avoid oversharing online and keep your online accounts private. Cybercriminals can use any information about you that is available online to manipulate you. Our experts advise abstaining from sexting completely. At the very least, avoid engaging in such behavior with strangers online.
- Q: Where can victims turn for help?
- A: Victims should report sextortion to the online platform and law enforcement. There are also sextortion helplines that can help provide emotional support and guidance. And if you need any help along the way, DFC is here for you.
