In the UK, teachers are urged to identify signs of sextortion victimisation, especially among teenage boys, deemed highly vulnerable. The National Crime Agency warns of criminal gangs, often overseas, exploiting real or fake images for blackmail, with extortion occurring rapidly.
NCA's director general, James Babbage, condemns sextortion as a heartless crime motivated solely by financial gain, disregarding the victims' lives. Victims are coerced into meeting financial demands under threat of intimate picture exposure. Families of victims, like a 16-year-old boy who tragically took his life due to sextortion, advocate for openness to prevent further tragedies. They implore potential victims to confide in trusted individuals for support.
Tamalika Basu, a teacher in the UK spoke to Asian Voice at length about this subject. She said, “To effectively identify signs of sextortion, teachers are trained to observe behavioural changes in students. At my academic institution, we undergo Prevent training annually, mandated by the Department for Education. This equips us to recognise signs of radicalisation, grooming, and inappropriate relationships among students. The training emphasises early intervention upon detecting behavioural changes, such as academic decline, withdrawal from lessons, frequent absences, or unusual patterns in leaving school early. If such signs emerge, we engage with both the student and their parents or carers to offer support.
“Moreover, our institution employs robust network monitoring systems to oversee students' digital activities. This includes monitoring laptops provided to students, both on and off-campus, to detect any inappropriate online behaviour or content. Any flagged activity undergoes thorough investigation following safeguarding protocols, involving parents or carers and school safeguarding leads to ensure proper resolution.
“In our lessons, teachers remain vigilant for any comments or answers from students that may indicate exposure to inappropriate content. Such instances prompt further investigation by safeguarding leading to determining the appropriate course of action and support for the affected student.
“Additionally, our curriculum includes lessons on online safety, covering topics ranging from financial scams to social media usage. Students are educated on the risks associated with online activities and are encouraged to refrain from sharing school-related content on social media platforms. Strict disciplinary measures are enforced for any breaches of online safety guidelines.
“While Prevent training is valuable, its effectiveness in addressing evolving forms of crime, including sextortion, remains uncertain. Continuous adaptation of training programs to address emerging threats is essential. Moreover, fostering parental awareness through initiatives such as parent-teacher conferences can enhance collaboration in safeguarding students against online risks.
“By implementing preventive measures, providing targeted support, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, educational institutions can play a crucial role in safeguarding students against the risks of sextortion and other online threats.”
Another London-based teacher, Sarada told the newsweekly, “In our school, we are going through many trainings and discussions regarding this. Sometimes it is difficult to identify, but the pastoral teams are trying to identify the boys (as I work in a boys' School) and deal with the matter.”
