Gardaí: Sextortion can happen to anyone
There is no shame or embarrassment to be associated with sextortion.
That was the advice from gardaí as a campaign was launched this week to highlight sextortion as a crime. An Garda Síochána issued some public guidance on how it can happen and how to respond if you are or become a victim.
Sextortion is a form of cyber extortion which involves a threat or blackmail of having intimate information, images or clips shared without consent. The threat or blackmail may be to get the victim to do or refrain from doing something, or the threat or blackmail may be purely for money or financial gain.
Sextortion can occur in several ways:
• During a relationship or where a relationship has broken down – either partner can be the victim
• During online activity, sharing intimate images with another online partner, either strangers or people known to you
• Sharing of images on messaging apps
• Juveniles involved in the sharing of intimate images, in addition to being open to potential sextortion and online bullying, the sharing of any intimate image of a juvenile is child sexual abuse material.
Hotline.ie, a centre responsible for combatting illegal content online, has received 688 reports in relation to intimate image abuse in 2022. There has been a 93% successful removal rate by Hotline.ie, and the removal of intimate images takes an average 0-3 days.
Detective Superintendent Ian Lackey of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau said: “We recognise that there are victims of sextortion that may not necessarily realise that what they are experiencing is very serious, criminal and can be subject to prosecution. We want people to know that it does not matter what age, gender, background, qualification, profession or personal circumstances you are in – this can happen anyone. There is no shame or embarrassment to be associated with sextortion.”
He added: “We have no doubt whatsoever that there are victims experiencing this in silence, who must feel stressed or alone not knowing where to turn, but we are here to help and support.
“An Garda Síochána is fully committed to supporting victims of these crimes to feel fully safe and protected. You can come forward to us confidentially if you have been affected by sextortion or are experiencing it at present. Please contact us whether in person at any garda station or by phone.”
He concluded: “Raising awareness of the possible warning signs of sextortion can help in ensuring fewer people are affected, but our campaign is also aimed at shifting public attitudes. Society can support us in our work to increase awareness around these types of crimes.”