Latest news with #andCommunitySafety
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Daily Record
Ayr MSP urges open conversations to combat ‘sextortion'
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. 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. 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. "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. 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.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Daily Record
Men charged for soliciting as Scots cops launch crackdown on kerb crawling
At least nine men have been charged with soliciting in Dundee amid a new police crackdown on kerb crawling. Cops in the city have also been arresting and charging anyone attempting to purchase sex. Officers are focusing on areas known for on street prostitution and have been engaging with people involved in sex work to make sure they are safe and signposted to support from local partner agencies. It has resulted in nine charges so far. This new approach was piloted in Aberdeen, and is now in action in Glasgow and Dundee, specifically in areas where on street prostitution remains an issue. It will also be adopted across the country where specific Operation Begonia patrols are in addition to regular police patrols. Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram, lead on Prostitution, Police Scotland, said: 'Prostitution brings a significant threat of risk and harm to people and communities. 'People involved in prostitution, most of whom are women, are particularly vulnerable to violence. 'Drug or alcohol related issues, or poverty, can drive people into prostitution, particularly on street. 'Our approach, as demonstrated in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee, focuses on safety and welfare, engaging with people and signposting them to support available from our partners, and hopefully reducing the risk of violence. 'This is about building trust and confidence in policing. It's about safer communities and supported victims. And it's about tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms.' Siobhan Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, joined Police Scotland officers in Dundee last night, Tuesday, April 29, to see the service's new national approach to prostitution in action. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Victims Minister Siobhan Brown said: 'I was pleased to visit Dundee to learn more about Police Scotland's new national approach to tackle demand for prostitution, Operation Begonia, which recognises women involved in prostitution as victims of exploitation and signposts them to local support organisations, whilst also challenging and deterring men's demand. 'This is an early outcome of our joint work with Police Scotland and this approach, with a focus on safety and support for those involved in commercial sexual exploitation, will help to contribute to better outcomes for victims as well as safer communities.'
