By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
A new law will have more Kentucky children learning about sexual extortion during their school days.
In an effort to comply with now-law Senate Bill 73, which requires districts to educate students in fourth grade and above about sextortion and information on “entities offering assistance to victims,” Caverna Independent School Superintendent Amanda Abell said the district has “multi-faceted approach to educate and inform students, parents, and staff” that includes signage, parental communication and age-appropriate education.
From an Abell email to Glasgow News 1:
- Visibility through Signage: We will place informative signage in areas with high student traffic to increase awareness of the issue. These signs will include key information about sextortion and where students can turn for help.
- Parent Communication: Through our parent alert system, we will send out informational materials to ensure that parents are informed about the issue and can take proactive steps in helping their children navigate online spaces safely. These updates will include resources on how parents can talk to their children about sextortion.
- Age-Appropriate Education: For students in fourth grade and above, we are in the process of selecting an appropriate curriculum to provide education on sextortion. The curriculum will focus on raising awareness, understanding risks, and knowing where to get help.
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.
This is one school district’s response to the newly signed law. Glasgow News 1 will have articles about Glasgow and Barren schools responses written separately.
