Sextortion in India
Understanding Sextortion
At Social & Media Matters, we are committed to promoting digital safety and protecting users from emerging online threats. Today, we are proud to unveil our latest research initiative focused on sextortion—a troubling form of cybercrime that has been on the rise in India.
Sextortion involves coercing individuals into providing money, sexual favors, or more explicit content under threat of releasing intimate images or videos. This crime not only violates personal privacy but also inflicts severe emotional and financial harm on its victims, many of whom are young adults navigating the complexities of digital communication.
The Need for Research
Our journey into this critical issue began with a realization: despite increasing incidents of sextortion reported to our helplines, there was a glaring lack of comprehensive data and analysis in India. This gap inspired us to undertake a rigorous research study aimed at understanding the scope of sextortion, assessing public awareness, and evaluating existing support systems available to victims.
Key Findings
Through a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with key informants—including victims, legal experts, law enforcement officials, and media professionals—we uncovered several crucial insights:
- Prevalence and Impact: A significant percentage of respondents reported awareness of sextortion cases, with a notable portion having experienced it firsthand. The emotional and psychological toll on victims was profound, often leading to severe distress and financial losses.
- Awareness and Support: Despite the severity of the issue, many victims were unaware of available resources or felt reluctant to seek help from formal channels due to stigma or fear of repercussions. Instead, they tended to rely on personal networks for support.
- Challenges and Recommendations: Our research highlighted systemic challenges, including gaps in legal frameworks and the need for stronger collaboration between tech platforms and law enforcement agencies. We proposed actionable recommendations to enhance victim support, improve reporting mechanisms, and strengthen preventive measures.
Introducing Suraksha AI
In conjunction with our research efforts, we developed Suraksha AI—a groundbreaking AI-powered chatbot designed to provide immediate support and guidance to sextortion victims. Suraksha AI offers emotional counseling, legal advice, and practical steps for navigating these challenging situations, ensuring victims can access timely and comprehensive assistance.
Acknowledgments
This report would not have been possible without the dedication and support of many individuals. Special thanks to Amitabh Kumar for his visionary leadership, Vikram Singh for his exceptional visualizations, and Pratishtha Arora for her invaluable guidance throughout this project. We also extend our gratitude to the entire team at Field Notes Research for their collaboration and expertise.
Moving Forward
As we make this report available on our website, we urge policymakers, tech companies, and civil society to join us in addressing the scourge of sextortion. Together, we can strengthen legal protections, enhance digital literacy, and create a safer online environment.