How Do Exploiters Find Their Targets?
Online sexual exploitation happens in a particular way. Much like the grooming process, it is calculated. Someone looking for their next victim may initially meet you on Instagram, TikTok, Omegle or Snapchat.
Anyone Can Become A Victim
They will show you a lot of affection very quickly and tell you that they will help you with whatever you need. They may promise you love, money, a safe place to stay and help to live a better life.
If you are under the age of 18 and someone tries to connect with you online for the purpose of online sexual exploitation, this is called luring. If this has happened to you, tell someone that you can trust like a parent or guardian or an educator at school.
They may ask you to send sexual photos or videos, which they may later use to blackmail you, meaning they may threaten to share those sexual photos with your family or others unless you give them money, send them more sexual photos or videos or meet them in person.
This is illegal.
The perpetrator of online sexual exploitation may be someone your age or older than you. They may encourage you to do things you are uncomfortable doing. It can even be a female you met online or somewhere in your community that you thought was a friend, but she may break your trust by asking you to do things you aren’t comfortable doing, like hanging out with her boyfriend and his friends.
When an exploiter is trying to gain your trust, they will play many roles: they will act like your boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend.
They will try to gain your trust to learn about your insecurities, vulnerabilities and social, emotional or financial needs. They will make you believe you can trust them and will shower you with affection. This is known as love bombing. Once they have your trust, they may ask you to do things that you are uncomfortable doing.