Sextortion Awareness Training Course

Sextortion is a form of online abuse that involves the use of sexual images, videos, or threats to control, exploit, or harm another person. It can affect adults and children and often involves fear, shame, and silence, making it difficult for victims to seek help.

This free sextortion course provides a clear and sensitive introduction to sextortion. It is designed to help health and social care workers understand what sextortion is, who is affected, how it happens, and how to respond safely, lawfully, and compassionately.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Sextortion is increasingly common and can have serious emotional, psychological, safeguarding, and legal consequences. People who use services, colleagues, and professionals themselves may be affected. Health and social care workers need the knowledge and confidence to recognise risk, respond appropriately, and support disclosure.

This free course will help you to:

• Understand sextortion clearly: Learn what sextortion is and how it differs from other forms of abuse.
• Recognise who is affected: Understand why adults, children, and professionals can be targeted.
• Identify common methods used by perpetrators: Including online manipulation, threats, and use of shame.
• Recognise signs and indicators: Identify emotional, behavioural, and online warning signs.
• Understand the impact: Explore the emotional, psychological, safeguarding, and reputational effects.
• Respond appropriately: Use calm, non-judgemental responses that prioritise safety and wellbeing.
• Know how and where to report: Understand UK reporting routes and support services.
• Promote prevention and online safety: Support safer digital behaviour and awareness.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define sextortion and explain how it differs from blackmail, grooming, and other online abuse.
• Describe how sextortion commonly occurs, including use of images, videos, and live streaming.
• Identify who is affected by sextortion and common risk factors.
• Recognise common tactics used by perpetrators.
• Explain the emotional, psychological, financial, and safeguarding impact of sextortion.
• Identify behavioural and emotional warning signs.
• Respond to disclosures in a calm, supportive, and non-judgemental way.
• Understand confidentiality, safeguarding duties, and professional boundaries.
• Know how to report sextortion and where to signpost for support in the UK.
• Promote prevention, online safety, and awareness within care settings.

Sextortion Awareness Training Course Outline

Module 1: What Sextortion Is
This module explains what sextortion means and how it differs from blackmail, grooming, and other forms of online abuse. Learners will explore how sextortion commonly happens through images, videos, or live streaming, with clear examples involving both adults and children.

Module 2: Who Is Affected and Why
Learners will look at who can be affected by sextortion, including adults, children, and professionals. This module explores common risk factors such as loneliness, online anonymity, and financial pressure, and explains why people in caring and professional roles may be targeted.

Module 3: Common Methods Used by Perpetrators
This module focuses on the tactics used by perpetrators, including threats, fear, shame, and manipulation. Learners will understand how offenders obtain images or personal information and how fake profiles, dating apps, and social media are used in sextortion cases.

Module 4: The Impact of Sextortion
Learners will explore the emotional and psychological impact of sextortion on victims. This includes safeguarding concerns, financial and reputational harm, and the links between sextortion, anxiety, self-harm, and increased suicide risk.

Module 5: Signs and Indicators of Sextortion
This module helps learners recognise behavioural, emotional, online, and offline warning signs of sextortion. It also explains why victims may feel unable to disclose what is happening or may delay seeking help.

Module 6: How to Respond Appropriately
Learners will learn how to respond safely and appropriately if sextortion is suspected or disclosed. This includes immediate actions, calm and non-judgemental responses, and understanding confidentiality, professional boundaries, and safeguarding procedures.

Module 7: Reporting and Support Options in the UK
This module explains when sextortion is a criminal offence and how to report concerns to the police, CEOP, and online platforms. Learners will also be introduced to UK-based support services available for both adults and children.

Module 8: Prevention and Online Safety
The final module focuses on prevention. Learners will explore practical steps to reduce risk, safe online behaviour, privacy settings, and digital boundaries, as well as the role of education, workplace awareness, and safeguarding policies in preventing sextortion.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Health and social care workers at all levels.
• Safeguarding leads and designated safeguarding officers.
• Support workers, carers, and key workers.
• Managers and supervisors.
• Anyone working with adults or children who may be at risk of online abuse.

No previous safeguarding or online safety training is required.

FAQ

Is this course relevant to UK safeguarding practice?
Yes. The course reflects UK law, safeguarding guidance, and reporting pathways.

Does the course cover both adults and children?
Yes. It addresses adult–adult and adult–child sextortion and appropriate responses for each.

Is the content sensitive?
Yes. The course is written in a respectful, trauma-aware way and avoids graphic detail.

How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and typically takes 1 hour to complete.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is provided on successful completion.

Is this course CPD accredited?
Courses are not currently CPD accredited, but accreditation is planned.

Sextortion can have serious and lasting effects, but early recognition and the right response can make a critical difference. By completing this course, you will strengthen your ability to safeguard others, respond professionally, and promote safer online practices.

Enrol now to build confidence in sextortion awareness and safeguarding practice.