![‘Exponential increase in cruelty’ as sextortion scams hit younger victims](/media/1ybem10f/exponential-increase-in-cruelty-as-sextortion-scams-hit-younger-victims-head.jpg?width=380&height=257&v=1daf3bc7b57be00)
‘Exponential increase in cruelty’ as sextortion scams hit younger victims
Reports involving sexual extortion are on the rise as criminals become more ‘adept’ at targeting younger children
Amid emerging trends, such as child sexual abuse material generated by AI, it is critical that making the internet safer for children is a top priority for the new parliament.
In 2023 alone, the IWF removed over one million web pages featuring child sexual abuse images and videos. Heartbreakingly, 92% of the material we identified involved “self-generated” content, with a growing number of these victims being just three to six years old.
We are calling on Parliament to take decisive action to stay One Step Ahead in the fight against child sexual abuse online. We believe the Government must prioritise the following actions over the next parliamentary term:
For more information or to get involved, please contact our Public Affairs & Policy Officer, Bobbie Dennis, at [email protected] or by calling 07496 580902.
Reports involving sexual extortion are on the rise as criminals become more ‘adept’ at targeting younger children
Child protection groups warn there’s nothing to stop imagery sent to Edwards spreading further on WhatsApp.
After 13 successful years at the helm of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), Susie Hargreaves OBE is leaving to take up a new opportunity.
The girl sent a photo to a boy in her class before the image and her phone number were added to all-male online chat groups - she later started disappearing before being abused by "unknown men".