Sextortion is on the rise as students head back to school, Nebraska authorities warn

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Local authorities are warning families about sextortion as students head back to school across southeast Nebraska.

UNL Police say the crime is becoming much more common, and it’s entirely preventable.

Sextortion typically begins when someone shares private photos of themselves with a stranger they’ve only met online.

Criminals then take that sensitive material and threaten to share it with others unless you give them money or sexual favors.

UNL Police encourage everyone to block or ignore messages from strangers.

They also say you should consider making your online profiles private and review your friends list.

Federal authorities have been sounding the alarm as well.  FBI Director Christopher Wray was featured in a PSA where he said, “An alarming number of these victims have ended up committing suicide because perpetrators continuing demands make victims feel isolated, embarrassed and trapped.”

Help is available if you’ve fallen victim to sextortion or any other form of sexual violence.

This service will help you remove nude photos and videos from the internet if they were taken before you turned 18.

You can use this site to detect intimate images or videos being shared online.

And Hope Crisis Center is offering a virtual support group for adults this Wednesday, beginning at 4:30 p.m.