The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is addressing the rising number of sextortion cases by offering resources to ensure online safety. This initiative includes guidelines for discussing safe online practices with children.
Sextortion involves offenders obtaining sexually explicit material from victims and threatening to release it unless demands for money, gift cards, additional sexual content, or sexual activity are met. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has reported a significant increase in such cases through its CyberTipline. Recently, financial sextortion targeting teenage boys has become more common. This crime can lead to severe outcomes like mental health issues and suicide.
In 2025 alone, the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force received 103 cybertips related to sextortion. This follows 237 tips in 2024 and 176 in 2023, excluding those reported directly to local law enforcement.
Attorney General Josh Kaul stated, “Sextortion is a heinous crime targeting teens around the country,” emphasizing public awareness and prevention efforts.
The DOJ advises teenagers who may be victims of sextortion that it's not their fault and encourages them to seek help from trusted adults without complying with blackmailers' demands. They should report the account through platform safety features, block suspects without deleting messages or profiles, and notify law enforcement or Report.CyberTip.org.
Parents are urged to engage actively in their children's digital lives by setting expectations for behavior online and offline. Open discussions about relationships should highlight healthy boundaries and consent while discouraging sharing inappropriate content.
Resources like TakeItDown.NCMEC.org and CyberTipline.org are available for children needing assistance. Sextortion is a crime; victims are reminded they are not at fault.
Reports of potential child exploitation can be made to NCMEC at https://report.cybertip.org/ or via Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO), a confidential system run by DOJ’s Office of School Safety.
The Wisconsin ICAC Task Force provides investigation services against internet crimes along with training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, parents, teachers, and community members on internet safety education.