Executive Director of Uprising Terri Markham and Uprising board member Mike Alzheimer appeared on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to encourage conversations between parents and children of all ages about the dangers of online exploitation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines sextortion as predators coercing children into sending explicit images or videos by threatening to expose them—or demanding money—if they don’t comply. These crimes can begin on any app, website, game, or messaging platform where predators pose as peers, offer favors, or build trust to lure victims.
In August, Sheridan County Sheriff Levi Dominguez warned the public about an increase in sextortion cases. He said investigators are handling a growing number of reports, and in some instances, victims were exploited for extended periods because they were too ashamed or afraid to come forward. Dominguez urged parents to have open conversations with their children and remind them that honesty is the fastest way to get help.
