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Abstract: 

The integration of technology into sexual and gender-based violence has received increasing attention from law enforcement, politicians, and scholars. In particular, sextortion—or the threat to distribute intimate images or videos unless a victim satisfies a demand—has emerged as a prominent and growing threat to Internet users. In this article, Roberta Liggett presents preliminary results from her study of open source sextortion cases, and specifically how new technologies function as a tool for sexual extortion. Focus is placed on methods of obtainment (such as hacking and grooming), demands (such as contact and finances), and motivations (such as sexual gratification and control).

Keywords: Grooming; Child Pornography; Hacking; Sexting; Extortion

Affiliations:  1: Michigan State University.