A campaign to tackle sexting and online sexual activity amongst young people has been launched by police across Avon and Somerset.
‘Exposed, Exploited’ highlights the issue of sexting on phones and online via sites such as Facebook, Twitter and many others. It’s aimed at young people who’ve sent explicit texts, images and videos to each other, and lists the consequences of getting naked via digital media.
In conjunction with the online warnings, radio adverts on Kiss FM highlight the dangers of taking explicit or provocative images and sending them on to the others. It reminds them that they’ve gone digital once they hit the send button and it’s likely to remain online or on mates phones forever.
While young people may not see it as an issue that might continue to haunt them for many years to come, it drills home the dangers of it turning into something more sinister should a sex offender or someone who wants to bring them to harm gets hold of their self-shot.
It also addresses the issue of being paid or given gifts to engage in sex or sexual activity, which is what we call exploitation or grooming.
Superintendent Geoff Wessell, Head of Public Protection said: “Young people think it’s the norm to send pictures or videos of themselves to others naked or in their underwear. Sexting covers many areas, from sending fairly innocent messages as part of sexual experimentation between friends to grooming by others with more sinister motives – both can be very damaging.
“This kind of sexual activity leaves young people very vulnerable. Once it’s on a phone or online it’s digital and it can remain there forever. The impact of that can be huge as these days, your parent’s teachers, friends, and even employers might search the internet to see what you’ve been up to. It can have a huge impact for many years to come.”
Superintendent Wessell added: “The aim of this campaign is to stop young people exposing themselves online and to stop them being exploited by people who want them to do this for their own sexual needs. It’s dangerous and in the worst cases you could end up being the victim of a very serious crime.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “In a digital age I think it is easy for young people to not always see the seriousness of sexting or of posting images on-line or on their mobile phones.
“I would urge everyone to think twice before engaging into this type of sexual activity. Don’t be pressured and don’t do it because you don’t know where your photo or messages could end up. It could be seen by your friends and family or worse still someone who might be dangerous and have bad intentions.”
In Bristol this campaign has been fully supported by the City Council. Cllr Brenda Massey, Bristol City Council Assistant Mayor for Children, Young People and Education added: “It’s so important to stay safe online and on your phone. Sad as it may be there are predatory people targeting youngsters who go to great lengths to fool unsuspecting young people. Even if you know the recipient personally, once something’s sent it is permanent and it only takes a mistake or argument to risk it going public.
“In Bristol the council, police and other organisations are working together to tackle this problem. Our advice is quite simple – don’t send anything to anyone which you wouldn’t want to be seen in public.”
If you have been a victim or are concerned about others you can call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency or report the matter at www.ceop.police.uk
For more information about rape and sexual, how to report it and where to get help visit www.rapeaware.org
