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Campus Announcements
Sextortion: What it is & Tips to Stay Safe Online - Part 1/2
Department / Organization: Institutional Equity & Title IX
Sextortion is a growing issue on campuses and across the country. So, what is it?
Sextortion is a crime committed in virtual spaces and is becoming increasingly common on campuses and across the country. It includes the act of extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity. Sextortion happens online when someone convinces a person to share sexual pictures or videos. Sextortion can start on any site where people meet and communicate. Someone may contact you while are a playing a game online or reach out over a dating app or one of your social media accounts. In some cases, the first contact from the criminal will be a threat. The person may claim they already have a picture or video of you that they will share if you don’t send more pictures or send money. More often, however, this crime starts when someone believes they are communicating with someone who is romantically or sexually interested in them. After the criminal has one or more videos or images, they use the threat of sharing or publishing that content to get the victim to produce more images or to pay an amount of money.
Sextortion is a crime and can be reported to law enforcement, including Mines Police. You can reach them by calling: 303-273-3333 (after hours press option 5). You can contact the Office of Institutional Equity & Title IX to report your concern and access support measures. Like all forms of sexual and interpersonal violence, victims are not to blame for crimes that happen to them.