Cyber Sextortion: An Exploratory Analysis of Different Perpetrators Engaging in a Similar Crime

O’Malley, Roberta Liggett; Holt, Karen

doi:10.1177/0886260520909186

Cited by 40 publications

(37 citation statements)

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“…Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is an increasingly criminalized form of technology-facilitated abuse, one that includes creating, distributing, or threatening to distribute intimate (nude or sexual) photos or videos of someone without their consent (DeKeseredy & Schwartz, 2016; Henry et al, 2021; McGlynn & Rackley, 2017). Perpetration of IBSA-related behaviors is referred to with other distinct terminology across the literature, including “non-consensual sexting” (Barrense-Dias et al, 2020), “non-consensual sext dissemination” (Clancy et al, 2019), “non-consensual image sharing” (Naezer & van Oosterhout, 2020), “cyber sextortion” (O’Malley & Holt, 2020), and “technology-based sexual coercion” (Thompson & Morrison, 2013). Regardless of terminology, most existing IBSA studies focus squarely on the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, whether posting online or sending directly onto others (as we discuss further below), rather than including the three forms of IBSA perpetration that are increasingly criminalized in jurisdictions across the globe (e.g., Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016; Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (UK) ; Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 (Cth); and Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 (NZ)).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perpetration of Image-Based Sexual Abuse: Extent, Nature and Correlates in a Multi-Country Sample

Powell

Scott

Flynn

et al. 2022

J Interpers Violence

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Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) is a form of technology-facilitated abuse in which intimate (nude or sexual) images of a person are taken, distributed, or threats are made to distribute the images, without a person’s consent. It is an increasingly criminalized form of sexual abuse, and yet little is known about the perpetrators of these harms, including the extent, relational nature and correlates of perpetration. This article reports on the first multi-country survey study to comprehensively investigate IBSA perpetration. An online panel survey of the general community (aged 16–64 years) in the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and New Zealand (NZ) ( n = 6109) found that self-reported IBSA perpetration was relatively common, with one in six (17.5%, n = 1070) respondents engaging in at least one form of IBSA. Logistic regression analyses identified nine characteristics that significantly increased the odds of having engaged in IBSA perpetration during their lifetime, namely: residing in the NZ as opposed to the UK or Australia, being male, having disability/assistance needs, holding attitudes that minimize the harms and excuse the perpetrators of IBSA, engaging in online dating behaviors, engaging in sexual self-image behaviors, and experiencing IBSA victimization (images taken, images distributed, and images threatened). Policy and prevention implications of the findings, as well as directions for future research are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perpetration of Image-Based Sexual Abuse: Extent, Nature and Correlates in a Multi-Country Sample

Powell

Scott

Flynn

et al. 2022

J Interpers Violence

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“…39 A recent exploratory study of data related to 152 cyber-extortion offenders (where there were demands for victims to produce more sexually explicit images and threats to distribute self-produced sexual images of minors if they refused or attempted to end contact with the offender) found that the majority of cases focused on extorting minors (52.6 per cent). 40 From a victim perspective, the consequences of aggravated sexting or sextortion are considerable and have been linked for some young people to depression, self-harm, and other forms of psychopathology. 41,42 Concerns about the creation of content by exploited young people was also discussed in two earlier publications by the UK Charity Barnardos.…”

Section: Why Is This Important?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…50 Another challenge facing the legal system is that sexting by young people is positioned as intersecting among a variety of legal rights, such as privacy, free speech 39 Quayle et al [46]. 40 [40]. 41 Wachs et al [59].…”

Section: Why Is This Important?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-produced images, sexting, coercion and children’s rights

Quayle

2022

ERA Forum

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Converging sources of data would suggest that the volume of images and videos which involve minors is increasing and places a burden on law enforcement in terms of victim identification as well as prosecution. The terminology used in relation to these activities is problematic, as reference to self-produced sexual images would seem to result in victim-blaming. While there is an acknowledgement that there are diverse motives in the creating and sharing of this content, in many jurisdictions these images are seen as meeting the criteria for illegality and may result in prosecutions under child pornography legislation. This potentially criminalises (or at least problematises) the consensual creation and sharing of sexually explicit content between minors. Concerns regarding this sit alongside growing disquiet that this disregards children’s rights to sexual autonomy and decision making.

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“…"Sextortion" is the practice of extorting money, sex, or other favors by threatening the victims to share their intimate photo, audio, text, video, or other media on the Internet or with closed social groups. 1 There are several definitions of sextortion available on online dictionaries. Some of them are listed in Table 1.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Cyber Sextortion in India: Content Analysis of Online Newspapers Published in 2019–2021

Mondal¹,

Sahoo

Mondal

2022

Journal of Psychosexual Health

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Introduction: Smartphones and Internet connection help people to stay connected to virtual social media where predators may disguise and obtain intimate text, audio, photographs, and video from the victim. These are then used to extort money, sexual act, or any other favors. Aim: We aimed to observe the characteristics of cyber sextortion in India in recent years (2019–2021). Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in February 2022. The cases of cyber sextortion reported in newspapers between 2019 and 2021 were considered for qualitative analysis. The cases were thematically analyzed by 2 authors individually and a consensus was reached for the finalization of the finding. Results: Social media and dating applications are used to lure the victims to exchange sexual text, intimate photo, or video. The contents are saved and used as a tool to extort money, sexual acts, or other favors. The males are commonly extorted for money but females are extorted for money and sexual acts. The victim may be called for a sexual act in a place and a group of extortionists may appear in the scene. Exchange of text messages or audio calls are also recorded for extortion. Personal intimate contents obtained from remote access of device or access through a third person or morphing videos are also used for sextortion. Conclusion: Social media engagement and a desire of exploring sexual relations with unknown persons expose the victims for sextortion. Storing and sharing intimate content should be avoided even when in trusted relations to minimize the risk.

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Cyber Sextortion: An Exploratory Analysis of Different Perpetrators Engaging in a Similar Crime

Cited by 40 publications

References 37 publications

Perpetration of Image-Based Sexual Abuse: Extent, Nature and Correlates in a Multi-Country Sample

Perpetration of Image-Based Sexual Abuse: Extent, Nature and Correlates in a Multi-Country Sample

Self-produced images, sexting, coercion and children’s rights

Characteristics of Cyber Sextortion in India: Content Analysis of Online Newspapers Published in 2019–2021

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