By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The rise of “sextortion”, a serious form of online exploitation, has prompted provinces across Canada to introduce new legislation to address the issue. Dr. Christopher Dietzel, a Research Associate with McGill University’s iMPACTS Project, discussed the dangers of sextortion, particularly for youth, and explained the recent developments in Quebec’s response to this pressing issue during a recent interview.

Dr. Dietzel’s background in research and advocacy makes him an authority on the subject. He has worked extensively in understanding digital violence, with a focus on sexual violence and technology-facilitated harm. He is also a co-investigator on a project called “DIY Digital Safety”, which develops resources to help young people navigate and address the risks of online harm, particularly sextortion.

What is sextortion?

Sextortion is a coercive tactic where perpetrators threaten to release sexual images or videos of a victim unless they provide more images, money, sex, or other favours. “It is crucial to understand that sextortion is different from sexting, which is consensual and often a part of modern sexual expression, particularly among youth,” Dr. Dietzel explained. While sexting is considered a healthy, consensual interaction between individuals, sextortion is marked by its coercive, manipulative nature.

He explained that the problem with sextortion lay in the coercion involved, which is what makes it harmful. “It’s not just about sharing an image, but the pressure and threats that follow, turning what might have been a consensual interaction into something very harmful,” Dr. Dietzel emphasized.

New Quebec legislation and its significance

The Quebec government recently introduced new legislation aimed at tackling the growing problem of sextortion. This move aligns with efforts by other provinces, such as British Columbia, which introduced similar measures last year. According to Dr. Dietzel, this new provincial legislation is intended to complement the federal Online Harms bill, creating multiple layers of protection for victims. “It is good to have both federal and provincial accountability mechanisms in place,” he noted, adding that Quebec’s legislation also focuses on addressing online harm quickly.

One of the most important aspects of the bill is that it allows a judge to render swift decisions regarding the deletion of sensitive images, a critical step considering how fast harmful content can spread online. Dr. Dietzel believes this emphasis on timeliness is crucial in preventing further damage to victims. “Once something is online, it can be distributed, saved, and manipulated within seconds, so addressing these issues quickly is absolutely essential.”

The new legislation also includes strict consequences for those who refuse to comply with court orders to remove harmful content, a move Dr. Dietzel welcomes, as it signals to perpetrators that they will be held accountable for their actions.

The scale of the problem

The prevalence of sextortion has been rising sharply, particularly among youth. Dr. Dietzel pointed to a 2023 report from Cybertip, a Canadian organization that tracks cases of sextortion, which found that 90 per cent of financial sextortion victims were male, with reports of financial sextortion increasing by 150 per cent compared to the previous year.

Gender plays a role in how sextortion manifests, with boys more likely to be extorted for money, while girls are more often pressured to send additional images. “Understanding these gender dynamics is crucial because it helps policymakers address the specific ways in which sextortion affects different groups,” Dr. Dietzel explained.

Who are the perpetrators?

Sextortion can be committed by both individuals and organized networks, making it a particularly complex crime to address. Dr. Dietzel mentioned the “Yahoo Boys”, a group of cybercriminals identified as operating in this space. “In many ways, it’s similar to receiving a fraudulent email from a ‘Nigerian Prince’—there are networks of bad actors that target people online for extortion,” he said.

However, the issue isn’t limited to international groups. Sextortion can happen locally, within provinces, and even within communities. It isn’t always committed by distant cybercriminals; perpetrators can be peers, family members, teachers, or other authority figures. This localized dimension of the crime makes it even more difficult to combat, as victims may feel trapped in situations where the perpetrator is someone they know personally.

Focus on youth

Much of the attention around sextortion is on protecting young people. Dr. Dietzel explained that youth are particularly vulnerable because they may lack the knowledge to fully understand the dangers of sharing intimate images online. Additionally, younger people may not be fully aware of the legal consequences or protections available to them.

“There was also a political decision at play here,” he said. “Everyone can agree that young people need protection, and that’s why there’s a focus on this demographic. But it’s important to remember that sextortion can happen to anyone, of any age.”

While the emphasis may be on protecting youth, Dr. Dietzel stressed that adults can also fall victim to sextortion, especially in the context of romance scams, where older individuals might be manipulated into sharing intimate images or money.

Legal and preventive challenges

One of the significant challenges facing legislators and law enforcement is the international nature of many sextortion cases. Dr. Dietzel highlighted that if a victim in Quebec is being extorted by someone in another country, the legal complexities increase. While Quebec’s new legislation is a step forward, the global nature of digital crime means that more discussions are needed about how to effectively protect individuals across borders.

In terms of prevention, Dr. Dietzel stressed the importance of not engaging with sextortionists. “If someone threatens you, stop communicating with them immediately,” he advised. He also recommended reaching out to trusted adults or organizations like needhelpnow.ca, which offer support to victims. Furthermore, victims are encouraged to document everything by taking screenshots of conversations, which can be crucial evidence in legal proceedings.

Available resources

Dr. Dietzel and his team at DIY Digital Safety have developed several resources to help victims of sextortion and those at risk. Their website offers tools for young people, parents, and educators to understand the dangers of sextortion and how to navigate them safely. “We encourage people to visit our website for information in both English and French,” Dr. Dietzel said, emphasizing the importance of making these resources widely accessible.

As sextortion continues to rise, the introduction of new legislation in Quebec and other provinces is a critical step in addressing this issue. However, as Dr. Dietzel pointed out, the challenge of sextortion is multifaceted, requiring both legal measures and continued education to protect individuals from harm.