Traffickers follow a familiar pattern of psychological manipulation and control that includes luring, grooming, and exploiting their victims. They often pose as romantic partners to gain trust and then take advantage. 

Changes in behaviour can be challenging to assess as young people are naturally going through stages of development which include changing friend groups, experimenting with different styles, moodiness and being withdrawn or increasingly private.

Here are some behaviours to keep an eye out for, especially if more than one becomes apparent:

• Skipping school.
• Staying out late or overnight.
• Unexplained gifts/new possessions.
• Drugs and alcohol misuse.
• Secretive behaviour.
• Inappropriate or sexualised behaviour.
• Friendship or relationships with older adults.
• Abandoning previously strong friendships.

A type of blackmail used by perpetrators to acquire additional sexual content from someone, coerce them into engaging in sexual activity or obtain money. 

Often, these offenders are current or former romantic partners. They may have an initial sexual image that was sent intentionally by the victim and are using it to get more explicit content or money; threatening to spread the picture to friends and family if the victim does not comply, hence the concept of 'extortion'.

Sometimes the offender is initially met online. This could be an individual or a coordinated group that target an individual victim. Offenders may share another explicit image with the target to build trust and encourage them to send one in return. 

Since the pandemic began, there has been a large increase in the luring of young people and children online through virtual communication. Once a connection has been established, the relationship can escalate to sextortion and in some cases forcing the victim to create online content via streaming and camming platforms. This digital exploitation and sextortion often involves recognizable platforms including Snapchat and Instagram. 

 National Tipline
National Tipline for reporting online child sexual abuse and exploitation as well as offers safety resources.

Protect Children
Offers resources, research, family and survivor supports.

Don't Get Sextorted
Youth resource that educates around sextortion in a more digestible way.