Sextortion made national headlines last month with the unnerving online trend having some effects in the Southeast.

There have been cases of this crime in the community says Estevan Police Deputy Chief Murray Cowan.  

Sextortion is when the perpetrator uses a sexual image or video of someone else and threatens to release the image unless they receive monetary compensation. 

Sometimes the photos or videos have already been shared or can be used as a coercion tactic.  

“From a police perspective we always strongly caution people against sharing personal or intimate photos online, through text or social media channels.”  

Cowan also said it is especially risky if it is someone you don’t know or someone you recently met.  

There have also been situations where a relationship doesn’t last, and intimate photos are used in a threatening manner.  

“Our office does investigate those things. It’s a serious crime, that gets our attention when it’s reported.”  

People are often reluctant to report these types of crimes due to their sensitive nature.

They are encouraged to do so if they are a victim of sextortion or are being threatened or coerced by someone. 

The consequences of this crime vary on a case-by-case basis, with extortion and threatening behaviours being the two main offenses looked at by police when this type of crime is reported. 

“Each one of these types of situations is unique in and of themselves. We look at it at the time and determine the course of action from there."  

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