Sextortion: A Strategy for Traffickers

Many people think of Bethesda House as a program for domestic violence (DV) survivors. That’s true. Domestic violence is still a pervasive problem in Alabama, with 1 in 4 women reporting abuse from an intimate partner. In rural areas, the number has been estimated to increase to 1 in 3 women. We have had DV survivors in the house every night since December of 2019.

However, we also serve women who have been exploited by the sex trade. What’s shocking to most of our supporting community is that approximately 40% of those we have welcomed since 2019 are survivors in both domestic violence and trafficking.

A disturbing reality is that trafficking is increasing in the Wiregrass. During November and December of 2025, five arrests were made in connection with sex trafficking rings in Covington and Houston counties. Like domestic violence, most victims of trafficking are women and children. While there are definitely vulnerable groups, including runaways, those who are dependent on drugs or alcohol (or minors whose family members are addicts), and individuals living in poverty, the reality is that anyone can become a trafficking victim.

Traffickers are finding ways to increase their reach and one of those strategies is sextortion. Sextortionists target young people and unsuspecting adults via the internet, often social media and gaming platforms, and extend “friend” requests that seem benign. The sextortion process usually follows a series of steps.

1. Once sextortionists access someone’s profile, they can see the victim’s friends lists, photos, family members and other personal information.

2. The sextoritionist “grooms” the individual with friendly banter or flirting and even what seems like genuine concern. This establishes a false sense of trust and safe familiarity.

3. The sextortionist manipulates the victim and convinces him or her to send a nude photo.

4. The sextortionist then sends messages demanding money from the victim, with the threat of exposing the photos to friends and family.

5. The insistence for money may continue or the sextortionist will require more photos while increasing pressure which may include demands for photos of others in exchange for silence.

Meanwhile, the victim panics. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, not only because of their

inexperience with anything like this kind of manipulation, but also because their brain development typically places emotions over the ability to process thought adequately for problem solving.

Is it any wonder that suicide numbers of teens and young adults are increasing? This population

simply does not have the capacity to deal with the pending humiliation. They become consumed with fears of what others, especially their family members, will think. Many simply can’t handle the shame of having their friends know what they have done or the shame their actions will bring to their families. Sextortionists are counting on those reactions to extort more money and photos.

What can you do? First, talk to the young people in your life. Let them know that nothing they do is beyond your love and help – NOTHING. If someone you know has been victimized by sextortion,

contact the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI). Block the perpetrator, but do not delete the

messages and photos, and don’t get rid of the device(s) used. The ABI will need the data to identify the sextortionist. Get help for the victim, including therapy with a trauma-informed specialist.

A few links for resources are listed below. We will be posting additional information in the coming months. Reach out to us if we can support your family or friends.

The issues we face are significant. But together, we can make our community safer so that all survivors will have the opportunities they need in order to: Love – Heal - Thrive

Alabama Bureau of Investigation – Enterprise office – 334.612.3565

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children - Sextortion: What Parents Should Know

Bethesda House – 334.977.1005