Indiana Township Police Department to host free class on the dangers of child sextortion

The Indiana Township Police Department is hosting a free class Nov. 15 about child and internet safety, and topics covered will include the dangers and methods involved with online child sextortion threats.

Indiana Township Sgt. Marc Myers said the department is committed to offering educational seminars about relevant criminal topics to the public.

Presenters will include two community outreach specialists from the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office. The session begins at 7 p.m. and is open to anyone interested in attending, Myers said. No registration is required.

“You don’t have to be a resident of Indiana Township,” he said.

Because of the topic’s sensitive nature, the event is recommended for ages 14 and older.

“It’s a very friendly, open forum,” Myers said. “There will be a Q&A session, and everyone is encouraged to ask questions.”

Data from the FBI’s website shows a large increase in the number of FBI cases involving children and teenagers being solicited to send explicit images online.

It’s called sextortion.

Myers said no community is safe from criminals who use the internet or technology to prey on young victims.

“There are no borders here. This program is good for any parent, teenager, guardian or grandparents,” Myers said.

The program is scheduled to last 45 minutes and will take place at the Indiana Town Hall Community Center, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd.

“This is a hot topic, and if this event is well received, I’d like to host more,” Myers said.

Myers said some criminals use live chats on video games to contact unsuspecting kids.

In an example given on its website, FBI Special Agent Kiffa Shirley recently investigated a case where a criminal offered money in exchange for explicit images from teenagers.

“These predators are really good at targeting youth,” Shirley said.

The man referenced by Shirley was apprehended and later sentenced to 18 years in prison.

“Young people don’t seem to have an on-guard mentality when it comes to strangers contacting them through the internet,” Shirley said. “And many teens feel less inhibited about sharing online.”

For more information and to report an internet crime complaint, go to ic3.gov.