New sextortion education resource launched

The launch at Meldrum Academy in Aberdeenshire marks a key milestone in Fearless’ sextortion awareness campaign, which ran in two phases from November to December 2024 and February to March 2025.

The charity’s campaign impact report, also published today, reveals that the social media campaign generated over 15 million impressions and over 98,000 swipes to the Fearless website, where tailored information and resources were available for young people, parents and caregivers, and professionals. This success is believed to be a key factor in the 32.2 per cent decrease in reports of sextortion in 2024 compared to 2023, seen by Police Scotland.

Fearless has now developed a short video and accompanying facilitator notes designed for use in schools, colleges, and youth settings.

Victims minister Siobhian Brown attended the launch at Meldrum Academy today. She said: “The launch of the new sextortion awareness resource builds on the recent campaign which focused on reassuring victims that they are not alone and that there is support available to them.

“Sextortion can have a devastating impact on young people and their families and it can be a difficult topic to discuss. This resource, shaped by young people, will help start these discussions and raise awareness ahead of pupils finishing for their summer holidays. I want young people to be reassured that it is never their fault, there is help and to always report these things to the police.

“I welcome the publication of the impact report into the campaign and this will help form discussions as we drive forward our work.”

Assistant chief constable Steve Johnson said: “Sextortion is nothing other than a form of blackmail and a particularly insidious crime. Our figures show that the number of offences has fallen by almost a third in a year, which we believe can be attributed to young people, their parents, guardians and teachers being more aware of the issue and taking preventative steps.

“The new Fearless resources are a welcome addition to those already available.”