Sextortion Documentary Screening presented by SD-ICAC and SafetyNet®
SafetyNet® Can Save Lives
On Thursday, February 23, over 300 parents and children gathered to attend a screening of the documentary SEXTORTION: THE HIDDEN PANDEMIC at The Rock Church in Point Loma. The event was presented by San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SD-ICAC) with opening remarks delivered by SDPD Chief of Police David Nisleit.
After the screening, SafetyNet® Bilingual Presenter Jessica Bravo led a discussion panel featuring SD-ICAC Commander, SDPD Sergeant Garrick Nugent, Film Director Maria Peek, and guest speaker Pauline Stuart, along with other California ICAC leaders.
Pauline Stuart’s son, Ryan Last, was a victim of sextortion, the act of threatening to share nude or explicit images. This violation against Ryan took place last year, and within hours of becoming a target, Ryan had taken his life. At just 17-years old, Ryan was a rising star in his community, about to go off to college and start a new chapter. Pauline never thought something like this would happen to her child.
Law enforcement departments nationwide warn that sextortion cases affecting young children, teens and adults have increased exponentially in the past two years.
How can tragedies like this be prevented?
SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices® is an initiative of the San Diego Police Foundation that is designed to help kids, parents, educators, and concerned adults learn how to keep children safe online. It is currently the only locally based preventative and proactive educational program available that focuses on helping to keep our children from becoming victims before it’s too late.
If you are a parent, teacher, or concerned community member, you can support SafetyNet® by booking a presentation, or by donating online to support the program. Presentations are available in English and Spanish, both virtually and in person. Learn more about SafetyNet®.