Gardaí have launched an awareness campaign to help children who are at risk of being sexually exploited online. The “Say No” campaign was announced after a report from Europol revealed that children as young as seven have been persuaded to share images of themselves online, or sexual information which is then used to blackmail them.
The “Say No” campaign in Ireland is part of a wider effort by Europol to tackle the crime of child “sextortion” online, which is also known as webcam blackmailing.
Detective Superintendent in the Garda National Protective Service Bureau, with responsibility for the investigation of sexual crimes and crimes against children, Declan Daly, told The Irish Examiner that this is a growing problem in Ireland.
"It is a crime that's happening in Ireland, it's a form of digital blackmail where children who have given images to predators online are then blackmailed for other sexual material, for sexual favours or for money."
The “Say No” campaign has released a video which shows two young teenagers, a boy and a girl, who each come across a person intending to exploit them online.
Online sexual coercion & extortion is a crime. If this happens 2 U, #SayNo! Learn more on https://t.co/rKdKjKcRXx Help us spread the message pic.twitter.com/hZSWZcglW4
— Europol (@Europol) June 19, 2017
In a press release accompanying the video, Assistant Commissioner John O’ Driscoll, who is head of Special Crimes Operations, warned that both parents and children must be aware of the dangers of online extortion and sexual coercion.
“Parents and children should be aware of the dangers involved, and the Garda Síochána advise that explicit images should never be posted or shared online. Any child who receives a request for naked or explicit photographs should not share any images. We ask them to tell their parents and immediately contact the Garda Síochána, who will advise them regarding how the matter should be handled.”
The Gardaí have released the accompanying advice for children who may find themselves in a similar position, or who have been victims of sexual extortion or coercion in the past.
• Protect your online life - use the maximum privacy settings.
• Be aware that people online may not be who they claim to be.
• Keep control online - do not share explicit or intimate images with anyone.
They advise children who find themselves being blackmailed to do the following:
1. Don’t share more, don’t pay anything.
2. Look for help; you are not alone.
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3. Preserve evidence. Don’t delete anything.
4. Stop the communication. Block the person.
5. Report it to An Garda Síochána.
Such crimes can be reported by visiting or calling a local Garda Station, dialling 999 in the case of an emergency, or by contacting the dedicated Garda Child Sexual Abuse Helpline on 1800 555 222.
