Archway Society for Domestic Peace and Oak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre want victims to know they have support, following a warning from RCMP on the growing threat of sextortion and other forms of online exploitation.
Earlier this month, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP released a public warning to raise awareness on the growing threat of sextortion and other forms of online exploitation. Oak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, a program under Archway Society for Domestic Peace, would like to reinforce the warning, and remind residents that they can provide support for children, youth and families who may be victims.
Oak Centre is a partnership of multiple North Okanagan-based agencies who work together to provide a collaborative response to children, youth, and their families, who have experienced abuse, sexual assault, or witnessed a crime. Crimes against children and youth can take many forms such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse, including sextortion and online exploitation. There is increased concern for young men and boys ages 13 to 15, who seem to be recent targets online.
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where sexual content is used to benefit, usually financially, from a victim. Typically, it starts when the victim is contacted by someone who coerces the victim into providing nude or sexual images or videos. They then threaten to share the images or videos unless their demands for money, or more content, are met.
“We want to ensure that young people and their parents have support if this crime happens to them. You do not have to navigate this on your own” says Brooke McLardy, Oak Centre’s Manager.
We encourage parents, caregivers and the community at large to learn about how to protect themselves. There are a number of organizations who have great resources to help parents, caregivers, children, and youth safely maintain an online presence:
To contact Oak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre for more information, visit their website at oakcentrevernon.ca, or call and speak to a Child and Youth Advocate at 778-475-2920.