By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
A new Kentucky law will have more Barren County children learning about sexual extortion during their school days.
Barren County Schools Communication Officer Heather Gardner said the district has posters going up at all campuses and are “including letters in the back-to-school packets all students receive” in an effort to comply with now-law Senate Bill 73, which requires districts to educate students in fourth grade and above — in an age appropriate manner — about sextortion and information on “entities offering assistance to victims.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation stated the prevalence of sextortion and financial sextortion is increasing.
“Sextortion can start on any site, app, messaging platform, or game where people meet and communicate,” the FBI stated. “[T]his crime starts when young people believe they are communicating with someone their own age who is interested in a relationship or with someone who is offering something of value. After the criminals have one or more [explicit] videos or pictures, they threaten to publish that content, or they threaten violence, to get the victim to produce more images.”
Financial sextortion, which has also had an uptick in prevalence, functions the same but has the criminal claiming they will release the explicit videos or images unless the teen sends them money or gifts.
“The shame, fear, and confusion children feel when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse,” the FBI stated. “Caregivers and young people should understand how the crime occurs and openly discuss online safety.”
Senate Bill 73 was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear on March 12.
