What to do if someone is blackmailing you for sex
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The reality of sexual extortion: how to handle the threats and where to find help
Blackmail is a heinous criminal act that can leave the victim feeling powerless and vulnerable. The experience can be traumatic, especially if the blackmail involves sexual favours or explicit content. In such cases, it is essential to take immediate action and seek help from trusted sources. If you or someone you know is facing sexual blackmail, you should read on.
Table of content
Consider taking out an emergency blackmail injunction
Do not give in to the blackmailer's demands
Gather evidence of the blackmail
Make sure to remain calm and in control
Consider whether to report the blackmailer to the police
Consider taking out an emergency blackmail injunction
If you find yourself in a situation where someone is using blackmail to coerce you into performing sexual acts, it is important to consider taking legal action. Blackmail is a serious criminal offence and should not be taken lightly. Contacting a reliable and experienced solicitor is your best course of action to immediately understand the depth of the situation you are in. A solicitor who has already responded to dozens of similar situations in the past and who may be able to even give you a solution that will solve the matter very swiftly. The solution may or may not involve taking legal action.
Your solicitor would be a voice of reason at a time when vigilance is most required. In some cases, we will advise considering obtaining a same-day blackmail injunction, which is a legal order that will prohibit the blackmailer from continuing to threaten you with the release or distribution of intimate photos, videos or conversations.
The team at Cohen Davis Solicitors have extensive experience dealing with cases of online harassment and blackmail, and we provide 24/7 help and support for emergency cases. Do not hesitate to contact us if you find yourself in a situation where you require an emergency blackmail injunction. If you choose to try and handle the matter yourself without legal support, consider the followings:
Do not give in to the blackmailer's demands
If you find yourself in a situation where someone is blackmailing you for sex, it is important to remember the first and most crucial step: do not give in to their demands. While it may seem like the easiest way to make the blackmail stop, giving in only reinforces the power dynamic and can further perpetuate the behaviour. It is important to prioritise your own safety and happiness, and giving in to blackmail can have long-lasting negative impacts on your mental and emotional well-being. It is recommended that you seek support from a trusted friend, family member or legal professional.
Remember that blackmailing someone for sex is illegal, and you do not have to comply with the demands of the blackmailer. In the UK, coercive and controlling behaviour is a criminal offence under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. It refers to a pattern of behaviour by an individual towards their partner or ex-partner, with the intention of causing them to feel controlled, dependent, or fearful.
This type of behaviour can include a range of actions that restrict a person's freedom or autonomy, either physically, emotionally, or financially. If found guilty of this offence, a person can be sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Gather evidence of the blackmail
If someone is trying to blackmail you for sex, gathering evidence can be a crucial step in protecting yourself. This may include saving any threatening messages or emails, recording telephone conversations or in-person conversations with the blackmailer, and collecting any other evidence that could be used in court if necessary.
The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be when you decide to take legal action to bring sexual blackmail to an end. Additionally, it is important to keep this evidence stored in a safe and secure location to ensure its integrity is maintained.
Make sure to remain calm and in control
If you find yourself in a situation where someone is blackmailing you for sex, it's important to remain calm and in control. While it's natural to feel frightened or overwhelmed, it's essential to avoid reacting impulsively or giving in to the demands of the blackmailer. Instead, take a step back, assess the situation, and formulate a plan of action that prioritises your safety and well-being.
By remaining calm and in control, you'll be better able to collect evidence, seek legal help, and protect yourself from further harm. Remember that blackmail is a serious crime, and there are resources available to you to help you through this difficult time.
Consider whether to report the blackmailer to the police
It is important to consider whether to report the blackmailer to the police if someone is blackmailing you for sex. This is a serious crime and can result in severe legal consequences for the perpetrator.
Considerations in favour of reporting blackmail to the police
Your safety and well-being should be paramount, and contacting the authorities can help ensure that the blackmailer is held accountable for their actions. It is advisable to gather any evidence that you may have, including any messages or recordings of the blackmail, which can be used as evidence in any legal proceedings. Additionally, the police can offer advice and support on how best to protect yourself from further extortion or harm.
Considerations against reporting blackmail to the police
Some victims of sexual blackmail are fearful that an approach to the police could result in adverse publicity and disclosure of their relationship with the blackmailer or with another third party, which they wish to keep a secret. The police might also take a very long time to act, if at all, and if your blackmailer decides to deny the allegations, you could be facing the possibility of having to attend a trial, which might take longer than a year to conclude.
There are some other reasons someone might hesitate to report blackmail to the police. Here are a few: Fear of Escalation: Some victims might fear that contacting the police could escalate the situation or provoke the blackmailer into following through with their threats sooner. Revealing Private Information: Depending on the nature of the blackmail, reporting it might mean disclosing deeply personal, sensitive, or embarrassing information not only to the police, but potentially in public legal proceedings. This may include giving the police full access to your mobile telephone. Potential Legal Implications: If the blackmail involves the victim's own illegal activities, they might be hesitant to report it for fear of implicating themselves. Potential professional or social consequences: Depending on the nature of the blackmail, going public with the situation might lead to professional damage which may, in turn, result in a tremendous financial damage, such as loss of employment or sponsorships opportunities.
For these reasons it is highly advisable that you speak with a lawyer who you can trust and who is an expert in the legal field of online and sexual blackmail, and who has plenty of experience in advising individuals in a similar situation to the one you are currently facing. You can contact us.
Are you a victim of blackmail? Time might be of the essence. Call us now for legal advice on +44 207 183 4123 or send a request and we will contact you as soon as possible.
