France launches national campaign to combat sextorsion

The French Government and the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence against Children (CIIVISE) have launched a national digital awareness campaign to combat sextorsion. This form of sexual cyberviolence, which involves blackmail using intimate images, has seen a significant rise; France recorded 29,000 reports of sextorsion in 2024, a 460% increase over three years. Additionally, the national helpline 3018 reported a 74% increase in cases handled within a single year.

The campaign specifically targets adolescents aged 11 to 17, utilizing platforms like TikTok and Snapchat to help them identify grooming strategies and understand that they are victims rather than responsible parties. Officials emphasize that the responsibility for protection is collective, involving public authorities, adults, and digital platforms. The initiative is part of the 2023-2027 Plan to combat violence against children, which also includes new tools such as the 119 helpline campaign and national e-learning resources for child protection.