Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team [JACET] detectives are urging both parents and children to be aware of online safety following an increase in the number of online child sexual exploitation cases being reported.
Police have received reports from more than 100 families of instances where offenders are coercing children, particularly teenage males, into producing explicit images before extorting them for money by often engaging them through chat-based social media platforms, often purporting to be a young girl of a similar age to those they are targeting.
Once they have received the images, the offender threatens to share the content with friends and family of the victim, making demands for money, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
JACET Detective Acting Inspector Carla McIntyre said anybody who notices this type of offending should report it to police and have a conversation with the victim or victims.
“Please know that you are not alone; it is happening to other people and police can and will help you,” she said.
“With open lines of communication, you’ll be more approachable in the eyes of your child if something doesn’t feel right and they do need help.
“It doesn’t matter how small or insignificant you may think it is – something that may appear small could later prove vital in an investigation.”
Details: www.accce.gov.au or www.esafety.gov.au
