“If you don’t send me five other pictures I am going to post the photo online”: A qualitative analysis of experiences of survivors of sextortion

Financial reward for the perpetrator is not an essential component of sextortion in Walsh and Tener's definition.

“However, the issue of financial reward for the perpetrator is not an essential component of the crime in Walsh and Tener's (2022: 1) definition: 'threats to expose a sexual image in order to make a person do something or for reasons such as revenge or humiliation' (emphasis my own).”

In some cases, sextortion has led to self-harm, including suicidal ideation and suicide.

“In some cases, sextortion has led to self-harm, including suicidal ideation and suicide (Walsh & Tener, 2022; Wolak et al., 2018).”

Victims of sextortion report restricting their use of computers, removing themselves from online or offline environments, or closing down their online accounts.

“Finally, victims of sextortion also report restricting their use of computers, removing themselves from online or offline environments, or closing down their online accounts (Thorn, 2017; Walsh & Tener, 2022).”

There have been few qualitative studies specifically on sextortion, with only one study conducting interviews with victim-survivors to understand their lived experiences.

“There have also been few qualitative studies specifically on sextortion, with only one study conducting interviews with victim-survivors to understand their lived experiences (Walsh & Tener, 2022).”

Victims of sextortion can be impacted socially, when they experience a deterioration in relationships with family and friends or change their jobs, career pathways, or schools.

“as well as socially, when they experience a deterioration in relationships with family and friends or change their jobs, career pathways, or schools as a result (Walsh & Tener, 2022; Wolak et al., 2018)”

Victims of sextortion can be impacted financially when they comply with monetary demands.

“Victims of sextortion can also be impacted financially when they comply with monetary demands”

These experiences can manifest as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.

“which can manifest as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self-harm (Gámez-Guadix, Mateos-Pérez et al., 2022; Walsh & Tener, 2022; Wolak et al., 2018)”

Sextortion can result in significant harms.

“sextortion can result in significant harms”

In Walsh and Tener's (2022) qualitative study, the threat was carried out in 40.0% of cases.

“In Walsh and Tener’s (2022, p. 455) qualitative study, the threat was carried out in 40.0% of cases, with a “variation in the frequency and duration of threats: from a one-time threat to years-long threats.””

Walsh and Tener (2022) concluded that participants found responses helpful when recipients actively listened, encouraged them to continue sharing, and showed empathy without judgment or accusation.

“They concluded that participants found the responses helpful when recipients actively listened, encouraged them to continue sharing, and showed empathy without judgment or accusation (Walsh & Tener, 2022).”

Studies reported low rates of reporting to websites and apps: Patchin & Hinduja (2020): 5.0% (boys) and 7.0% (girls); Wolak et al. (2018): 18.0%; and Walsh & Tener (2022): 45.0%.

“Studies also reported low rates of reporting to websites and apps (Patchin & Hinduja (2020): 5.0% (boys) and 7.0% (girls); Wolak et al. (2018): 18.0%; and Walsh & Tener (2022): 45.0%).”

Across the empirical studies on sextortion, most found that police reporting was low: Wolak et al. (2018): 13.0%; Thorn (2017): 17.0%; and Walsh & Tener (2022): 18.0%.

“Across the empirical studies on sextortion, most found that police reporting was low (Wolak et al. (2018): 13.0%; Thorn (2017): 17.0%; and Walsh & Tener (2022): 18.0%).”

Sextortion is associated with significant harms, including anxiety, depression, shame, fear of exposure, social withdrawal, financial loss, and suicidal ideation, and these consequences often persist beyond the immediate incident.

“Regardless of age or gender, sextortion is associated with significant harms, including anxiety, depression, shame, fear of exposure, social withdrawal, financial loss, and suicidal ideation, and these consequences often persist beyond the immediate incident”