Sexual extortion, often called sextortion, is a form of sexual exploitation where someone uses threats or coercion to obtain sexual favors, images, videos, or money from a victim. It typically involves non-physical means of pressure such as blackmail or abuse of power
. There are two main contexts in which sexual extortion occurs:
- Abuse of power: Individuals in positions of authority (such as government officials, teachers, employers, or law enforcement) coerce sexual acts or favors in exchange for something they control, like a job, promotion, license, or good grades
- Blackmail involving sexual images or information: Perpetrators threaten to distribute private, sensitive, or sexual images or videos of the victim unless they comply with demands for more sexual content, money, or sexual acts. This often happens online, where offenders gain trust or hack devices to obtain compromising material
Sexual extortion is a serious crime that can have devastating effects on victims, including children and teens, who may feel powerless and trapped. It can involve threats to harm the victim’s reputation, property, or loved ones, or to release sexual images publicly
. Legal definitions, such as in Arizona law, specify that sexual extortion involves knowingly communicating threats to coerce someone into sexual contact, allowing sexual images to be taken or shown, or exhibiting their sexual body parts, with severe felony penalties
. In summary, sexual extortion is the coercion of sexual acts, images, or favors through threats or abuse of power, often involving blackmail with sexual material, and is recognized as a serious criminal offense
