Ayr MSP urges open conversations to combat ‘sextortion'

Daily Record

a day ago

Ayr SNP MSP Siobhian Brown has urged young people to reach out to a trusted adult or report the crime directly to the police.
Ayr SNP MSP Siobhian Brown is urging parents, guardians and teachers to talk to young people about sextortion, as cases continue to rise across Scotland.
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where criminals manipulate individuals into sharing explicit images, then they threaten to leak them. It can leave victims feeling isolated, ashamed, and unsure where to turn for help.
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This comes after Ms Brown met with youngsters in the Northeast, to talk about online safety, in her role as Victims and Community Safety Minister.
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The visit coincided with Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, introducing a new sextortion education resource designed to equip young people with the knowledge they need to stay safe online. It aims to build on this progress by increasing awareness and encouraging young people to seek help if they feel at risk.
This new resource builds on the success of the Scottish Government-funded 'sextortion' campaign, launched last November. The campaign achieved 15 million impressions, making it the most successful Crimestoppers initiative across the UK in 2024.
Ms Brown said: "Sextortion can have devastating consequences for young people as we have seen. Many victims feel trapped and afraid to speak out, that's why it's important to build trust and have open and honest conversations.
"By ensuring children and teenagers feel safe discussing their online experiences, we can teach them to recognise risks, protect themselves, and seek help if the need it.
"The timing of this initiative is crucial. With summer holidays approaching, young people will be spending more time online. This resource, shaped by young people themselves, is designed to help them understand sextortion, recognise warning signs, and know where to turn for support.
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"It is important young people know they are not alone and help is out there.
"The advice remains the same. I would advise young people not to panic, not to comply with demands, and to reach out to a trusted adult or report the crime directly to the police."
Parents, caregivers, and teachers can play a vital role by starting conversations early and teaching online safety before children begin using social media.
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It is also advised to keep discussions ongoing, including regular check-ins about online interactions.
It is important to create a judgment-free environment, reassuring young people they won't be blamed for mistakes and to provide clear guidance by educating children on privacy settings, suspicious behaviours, and reporting threats.
The campaign was initially launched earlier in the year following the heartbreaking story of Ros and Mark Dowey, whose 16-year-old son Murray tragically took his own life after becoming a victim of sextortion.