MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice today released a public service announcement on sextortion. Sextortion is currently one of the more significant threats to children online. Sextortion is a form of sexual exploitation where the offender threatens to release compromising material of the victim unless the victim sends money, gift cards, and/or additional sexual content, or engages in sexual activity. Children are particularly vulnerable to this type of crime. Sextortion has led to tragic consequences for victims, including mental health crisis and suicide.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, the National Suicide Hotline is 988. You can call or text to reach a mental health professional.
This public service announcement comes after 2025 Wisconsin Act 48 was signed into law, making sextortion a felony in Wisconsin. The PSA features two Wisconsin families whose children were victims of sextortion.
Tips For Teens Who May Be Victims of Sextortion
- Remember, it’s not your fault!
- It’s never too late to get help. Tell a parent or trusted adult right away.
- Do not pay money or comply with the blackmailer’s requests.
- Report the account through the platform’s safety feature.
- Block the suspect, but DO NOT DELETE the messages or your profile to preserve potential evidence for law enforcement.
- Report the crime to law enforcement or at CyberTipLine.com.
Online Safety Tips for Parents
The best way parents can protect children online is through creating and maintaining open lines of communication. Prepare your children for the online world as you would the real world. Talk to them about dangers and risks online, as well as their online activity, including the websites they are visiting, the people they are communicating with, the information they are posting about themselves, and any situations that make them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. The Wisconsin ICAC Task Force offers a variety of online safety resources for parents and caregivers. Additional resources can be found on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion.
The PSA can be viewed on YouTube.
Please contact dojcommunications@doj.state.wi.us for a downloadable file.
