Sextortion and the New RSHE Guidance

WHAT IS SEXTORTION

Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where perpetrators threaten or manipulate young people into sending intimate images or money, often using fake identities or AI-generated images.

• Sextortion is a crime and a form of abuse.
• Offenders often use fake profiles, flattery, romance or fear to manipulate people.
• Once an image has been shared, offenders may demand more images, money or other sexual acts.
• Victims should not blame themselves. Support is available, and reporting the incident is the safest course of action.
• It is important never to continue communicating with the offender or make payments, as this rarely stops the blackmail.

NATIONAL CRIME AGENCY

Many schools first became aware of sextortion through an alert to schools in April 2024 from the National Crime Agency (NCA). The alert came through its CEOP Education team, and was its first national alert specifically about financially motivated sexual extortion ("sextortion") to schools and education settings.

NEW RSHE GUIDANCE

By the end of secondary schools should have taught that criminals can operate online scams, for example using fake websites or emails to extort money or valuable personal information. This information can be used to the detriment of the person or wider society. About risks of sextortion, how to identify online scams relating to sex, and how to seek support if they have been scammed or involved in sextortion. – Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education Statutory guidance for governing bodies, proprietors, head teachers, principals, senior leadership teams, and teachers, DfE 2025

The new RSHE guidance comes into effect in September 2026. This has changes that recognise that issues like sexploitation are part of a rapidly changing digital world. Pupils need clear, age-appropriate teaching to recognise warning signs, understand that coercion and blackmail are crimes, and know how to get help safely. Just as importantly, schools should reinforce that anyone targeted is a victim of exploitation and is never to blame. Strong RSHE in this area is about equipping young people with the language, confidence, and strategies to protect themselves and each other.

A STEP TOO FAR

Loudmouth's A Step Too Far programme is aimed at students in Key Stage 3 and 4. The programme uses drama and discussion workshops to introduce topics such as cyber / sextortion, sexist/sexual violence and hate crime including homophobia. The programme takes the work that schools have done on anti-bullying and explores how bullying can become a crime. One of the scenarios involves a teenager who receives a message that he believes is from a girl in his year. He believes they are sending images to each other and is asked to send a nude. After sending he is then blackmailed and realises that he has been tricked. The monologue follows his experiences and how he dealt with the situation.

A Step Too Far doesn't just touch on online safety; it actively helps deliver several elements in the updated RSHE guidance. The programme uses a drama-based approach to show how situations can escalate, from everyday poor choices and online conflict to really serious harm including coercion and criminal behaviour. Pupils explore themes like digital responsibility, consent, respect, bystander behaviour, and crucially, where to go for help. By using realistic scenarios and guided discussion, it helps young people think critically about real-world circumstances, spot manipulation, and understand consequences without fear-based messaging. And that alignment with the new guidance is pretty strong. It supports knowledge, builds confidence, and helps create a culture where harmful behaviour is challenged and not normalised. If you're framing that for your blog, you might describe it as a practical, evidence-informed way to bring those statutory messages to life in the classroom.

To find out more contact us on 0121 446 4880 or email enquiry@loudmouth.co.uk