Sextortion: Prevalence and correlates in 10 countries

• Published in: Computers in human behavior Vol. 158; p. 108298
• Main Authors: Henry, Nicola, Umbach, Rebecca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Cybercrime; Image-based sexual abuse; Nonconsensual explicit imagery; Sextortion; Sexual extortion; Technology facilitated gender-based violence; Sexual extortion; Sextortion; Cybercrime; Technology facilitated gender-based violence; Image-based sexual abuse; Nonconsensual explicit imagery
• ISSN: 0747-5632; 1873-7692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2024.108298

The growing threat of sexual extortion (”sextortion”) has garnered significant attention in the news and by law enforcement agencies around the world. Foundational knowledge of prevalence and risk factors, however, is still nascent. The present study surveyed 16,693 respondents, distributed equally across 10 different countries, to assess prevalence of victimization and perpetration of threatening to disseminate intimate images. Weighted by gender, age, region, and population, 14.5% of respondents indicated at least one experience of victimization, while 4.8% of respondents indicated perpetration of the same. Demographic risk factors for perpetration and victimization were also assessed. Consistent with findings from other studies, men (15.7%) were 1.17 times more likely to report being victimized compared to women (13.2%), and 1.43 times more likely to report perpetration. LGBTQ+ respondents were 2.07 times more likely to report victimization compared to non-LGBTQ+ respondents, and 2.51 times more likely to report offending behaviors. Age was significantly associated, with younger participants more likely to report both victimization and perpetration experiences. The most common type of perpetrator, as reported by victims, was a former or current partner. Despite the strong likelihood of under-reporting given the topic area, the study found that experiencing threats to distribute intimate content is a relatively commonplace occurrence, impacting 1 in 7 adults. Implications for potential mitigation are discussed. •There is a dearth of literature on the prevalence of sextortion.•In a survey of 16,693 respondents, 14.5% reported victimization and 4.8% reported perpetration.•LGBTQ+, men, and younger respondents were more likely to report both victimization and perpetration.•Sextortion was least prevalent in the European countries surveyed.•Perpetrators of sextortion are most often current or former intimate partners.