What to do if you are a victim of Sextortion

If you or a friend have experienced sextortion, there are some steps you can take now to make things better. 

• Remember, the blackmailer is to blame, not you. Even if you made a choice you regret, what they are doing is a crime. 
• Get help before deciding whether to pay money or otherwise comply with the blackmailer. Cooperating or paying rarely stops the blackmail. 
• REPORT the crime to your local law enforcement agency and the account via the platform’s safety feature.  
  • Let NCMEC help get images of you down. Visit MissingKids.org/IsYourExplicitContentOutThere to learn how to notify companies yourself or visit cybertipline.org to report to us for help with the process.
  • Visit Take It Down so NCMEC can help you get your explicit images removed from the internet. Having nudes online is scary, but there is hope to get them taken down.
  • Ask for help. The problems can be very complex and require help from adults or professionals. If you don’t feel that you have adults in your corner, you can reach out to NCMEC for support at gethelp@ncmec.org or you can call us at 1-800-THE-LOST.
• BLOCK the suspect but DO NOT DELETE your profile or messages because that can be helpful in stopping the blackmailer.

You can also refer to this What can I do? resource sheet to help guide you through this process.

Resources for Families-

• For families with a missing or sexually exploited child, NCMEC provides support services such as crisis intervention and local counseling referrals.  Team HOPE program connects families with peers who have had similar experiences and can offer compassion and teach coping skills.

Other resources to help you

• What should I do?– videos for tweens/teens that provide guidance for your steps to be safe and get help
• #Myfriendtoo– find information and tips on how to help and support your friend who has experienced sexual harassment, grooming or sexual violence 
• How2report– explains how to report and what happens after reporting