Dear Friend, 

TRIGGER WARNING: Discussions of suicide 

Eddie (pseudonym) was a straight-A student. He was a proud member of his Boy Scout troupe. His mom described him as her “unusually happy son.” Seemingly, things were great for the 17-year-old.  

But sadly, after falling victim to a terrible crime, known as sextortion, Eddie took his own life. 

It all started when Eddie received a message from a girl on social media. After they chatted for a while, the girl sent him a nude photo and asked for one in return. When Eddie complied, he discovered this girl was not who she said she was.  

The supposed girl – who was actually a scammer – began threatening to publish this photo online if he did not send them $5000 immediately.

Eddie sent everything he could from his college fund, but he didn’t have enough money. The scammer was relentless in their demands and threats.  

By 2 a.m. that same night, Eddie had died by suicide. 

Eddie’s story is far from unique. That’s why on

February 11th, Safer Internet Day

, we’ll be co-hosting an event alongside the End Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children (OSEAC) Coalition to brief legislators on the need to address the dire problem of sextortion.  

And we’re inviting you to join us! 

Unmasking the Sextortion Crisis Online: Call to Action on Safer Internet Day Online Issue Briefing

When:

February 11, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm. 

Registration Link:

[link removed]

The following movement leaders will be speaking at the event: 

Paul Raffile, Premier Expert on Sextortion 

Harrison Haynes and Jajaira Overton, End OSEAC Survivor's Councilmembers 

Shelby Knox, Director of Tech Accountability Campaigns, ParentsTogether 

Sarah Gardner, CEO, Heat Initiative 

Haley McNamara, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, National Center on Sexual Exploitation 

Moderator: Coco Lammers, Chair of the End OSEAC Coalition 

Sign Me Up!

As social media becomes a bigger part in the lives of children and teens, sextortion has become one of the tragic byproducts.

Thorn and the National Center on Missing and Exploited Children reported that between August 2022 and August 2023

reported an average of 812 sextortion cases per week.

It’s crucial we put a stop to it. Children all over the world are depending on us. 

We hope to see you at the event next Tuesday!

  

Sincerely,

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