ABSTRACT

In this study, we explored survivors’ experience with sextortion (threats to expose sexual images to coerce victims to provide additional pictures, sex, or other favors). We conducted in-depth telephone interviews with 48 adults aged 18 to 25 who had been targets of sextortion. Nearly half of participants were minors at the time of the sextortion incident. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which resulted in four major dimensions. The dimensions identified were the emotional connections between victims and perpetrators, the nature of the threats, societal responses, and integrating the sextortion into their life stories. The findings emphasized the multidimensional nature of this phenomenon. There was a wide range of emotional connections, from brief connections to close intimate relationships or strong friendships. Some threats remained unfulfilled, while other were carried out. Some threats were one-time and some lasted for years. Societal responses were central in participants’ narratives, with most participants actually turning to their peers and parents for support. Many expressed thankfulness for the opportunity to tell their story during the interviews. For the majority of participants sextortion was perceived as a central event in their lives, one that changed them forever. Listening to the voices of survivors helps professionals understand these harmful situations.

摘要

在这项研究中，我们探讨了幸存者在性勒索方面的经历（威胁将性图像暴露给强迫受害者提供额外的图片、性或其他好处）。我们对 48 名 18 至 25 岁的成年人进行了深入的电话采访，他们是性勒索的目标。在性勒索事件发生时，近一半的参与者是未成年人。使用主题分析对数据进行分析，得出四个主要维度。确定的维度是受害者和肇事者之间的情感联系、威胁的性质、社会反应以及将性勒索融入他们的生活故事。研究结果强调了这种现象的多维性质。有广泛的情感联系，从短暂的联系到亲密的亲密关系或牢固的友谊。一些威胁仍未兑现，而另一些则已付诸实施。有些威胁是一次性的，有些会持续数年。社会反应是参与者叙述的核心，大多数参与者实际上向他们的同龄人和父母寻求支持。许多人对有机会在采访中讲述他们的故事表示感谢。对于大多数参与者来说，性勒索被认为是他们生活中的一个中心事件，它永远改变了他们。倾听幸存者的声音有助于专业人士了解这些有害情况。许多人对有机会在采访中讲述他们的故事表示感谢。对于大多数参与者来说，性勒索被认为是他们生活中的一个中心事件，它永远改变了他们。倾听幸存者的声音有助于专业人士了解这些有害情况。许多人对有机会在采访中讲述他们的故事表示感谢。对于大多数参与者来说，性勒索被认为是他们生活中的一个中心事件，它永远改变了他们。倾听幸存者的声音有助于专业人士了解这些有害情况。