Fearless launches new sextortion education resource

Crimestoppers' youth service Fearless has launched a new Scotland-wide education resource, aimed at helping young people better understand, recognise and respond to sextortion.

At the launch, with Lyndsay McDade, Fearless Scotland Manager, and Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community SafetyThis launch, at Meldrum Academy in Aberdeenshire, marks a key milestone in Fearless’s widely praised sextortion awareness campaign, which ran in two phases, from November to December 2024 and February to March 2025. 

Co-produced with young people and supported by the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, the campaign achieved significant engagement across digital platforms.

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% decrease in reports of sextortion seen by Police Scotland in 2024 compared to 2023. 

The reduction is also attributed to the dedicated efforts of School Engagement Officers delivering sextortion presentations in schools all over Scotland. Additionally, the National Crime Agency’s alert to all schools, widespread media coverage and the significant contributions of numerous organisations and services have all played important roles in raising awareness among young people.

In response to direct feedback from educators, Fearless has developed a short, engaging video and accompanying facilitator notes designed for use in schools, colleges, and youth settings. Created in collaboration with young people, this new resource provides a flexible and impactful way to raise sextortion awareness and support meaningful conversations with pupils.

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown attended the launch at Meldrum Academy today, recognising the importance of early intervention and education in tackling online harms. Her support underscores the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to addressing the growing threat of sextortion.

"From the very beginning, and throughout our sextortion campaign, we’ve placed great importance on listening to young people and the adults who support them. Their insights have been central to shaping the development of the project and its ultimate success.

“Teachers told us they needed something short, accessible and practical to help spark meaningful conversations about sextortion with young people. While there are already some excellent, more in-depth resources available - which we signpost in the facilitator’s guide and on our website - this new tool fills a gap identified by teachers themselves. It offers a safe, flexible approach that can be confidently used across a wide range of educational and youth work settings.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be launching it today at Meldrum Academy with S3 pupils and to see it brought to life by the brilliant team from Education Scotland."

Lyndsay McDade, Fearless Scotland Manager, Crimestoppers

“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.”

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety

“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. 

“We are never complacent and take every opportunity to reiterate our message that anyone who is a victim of sextortion should never pay or comply, never panic and report it.

“Our officers who investigate this crime will carry out a thorough and robust inquiry. We have recently issued updated guidance to all officers which allows them to support victims and identify the perpetrators.”

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson

To ensure ongoing support during the summer - when schools and trusted adults may be less accessible - Fearless will continue running targeted social media ads, guiding young people to reliable information and support services.

Tap or click to learn more about sextortion and access the new video resource and Facilitator Notes

12 June 2025