TORONTO, July 10,
2024 /CNW/ - Recent trends show a stark increase of
youth online sexual exploitation and sextortion across
Canada. According to Cybertip,
there has been an 88% increase in sextortion reports between 2022
and 2023. The RCMP regards sextortion as "a growing threat
affecting our youth, particularly those in the 14 to 24 age range"
who are targeted through popular social media channels.
White Ribbon is responding to this urgent need by hosting an
event with the RCMP and Canadian educators to increase awareness of
the latest trends of online sexual exploitation, sex trafficking
and sextortion, and highlight innovative, evidence-based prevention
resources.
The event will feature a presentation by the RCMP's National
Youth Services and Sensitive and Specialized Investigative
Services, followed by a roundtable discussion with educators
focused on identifying warning signs, prevention strategies, calls
to action, and available resources to the concerning rise of online
sexual exploitation and sextortion.
Educators, parents, youth workers, the media, and the broad
community are asked to join us to help address this growing issue.
The virtual event will take place on July
11, at 1 PM EST. Registration
is open and free of charge.
White Ribbon has more than 30 years of experience working
closely with Canadian educators to create innovative resources to
promote the safety and well-being of youth and engage boys and men
as allies to prevent all forms of gender-based violence and
discrimination.
"We are seeing online sexual exploitation and sextortion
happening at truly concerning rates. We call on educators,
educational partners, including Unions, and school boards to join
our efforts to address the sudden rise of harm towards youth in
digital spaces." - Humberto Carolo,
Chief Executive Officer, White Ribbon
White Ribbon works to engage men and boys in the prevention of
gender-based violence by promoting equity and transforming social
norms. We challenge and support men and boys to realize their
potential to be part of the solution to ending all forms of
gender-based violence. White Ribbon is the world's largest movement
of men and boys working to end gender-based violence. Please visit
our website at www.whiteribbon.ca.
SOURCE White Ribbon