Thirty-five % of victims reported a moderate to severe effect on their mental health, with 73% of people familiar with victims describing its impact as significant.<\/p>\n
\u201cSextortion is a serious online harm and not a fringe problem,\u201d Netsafe chief executive Brent Carey said.<\/p>\n
Brent Carey, chief executive of Netsafe, said sextortion is a “serious online harm and not a fringe problem” in New Zealand. Photo \/ Dean Purcell<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealanders need to know sextortion is not their fault. These are predators using technology as a weapon, and the only way to fight them is together.\u201d<\/p>\n
The findings, which suggest hundreds of thousands of Kiwis have been affected, highlight a \u201chidden epidemic\u201d with far-reaching impacts on privacy, personal safety and mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cTragically, overseas cases have shown how sextortion can drive young people to despair<\/a>, and New Zealand is not immune,\u201d Carey said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur research confirms the same pattern.\u201d<\/p>\n Carey said victims may be tricked or pressured into sharing explicit material, while in other cases, the content may be digitally faked.<\/p>\n Professional perpetrators often come from organised crime groups and will manipulate their victims into sharing sensitive content that can later be leveraged against them.<\/p>\n \u201cThis survey did not include under 18 year olds, and when we look at the reports of harm we receive at Netsafe, we find teenagers are also targeted through sextortion,\u201d Carey said.<\/p>\n About 80% of cases reported by victims involved threats to share explicit content. Half the perpetrators demanded money, while a fifth sought further sexual favours.<\/p>\n About 24% had their content leaked anyway without consent.<\/p>\n Despite the damning figures, most victims avoid seeking help out of shame or a fear of inaction, with less than half of those who alert authorities satisfied with its handling.<\/p>\nPolice plan to use the data to strengthen their response to sextortion crimes in New Zealand.<\/p>\n