In the past two years Ceop has investigated 12 cases where children were blackmailed into performing sexual acts on a webcam. In the past two years, according to figures from police forces in the UK and abroad 424 children have been a victim of online sexual blackmail in some form 184 in the UK. "Our research shows that the power offenders use on their victims means children who are forced into performing acts on webcam or sending pictures feel trapped, and some tragically go on to self harm or in the worst cases to take their own lives. The NSPCC has set up a 24 hour helpline for children or adults worried about such blackmail. (08003280904)
Seven young people have committed suicide as a result of being targeted, including 17 year old Daniel Perry from Dunfermline in Fife. He died on 15 July after being tricked into thinking he was talking to an American girl online. Another seven young people seriously self-harmed, of whom six were from the UK. Ceop Feputy Chief Executive Andy Baker said: "Children as young as eight are being targeted, being blackmailed, being extorted, being forced, being coerced, to perform slave-like acts through the internet, on webcam. It is sexual and degrading, some are being forced to cut themselves and write on their naked bodies. There has been an increase in children self-harming, seriously self-harming, and seven children in the last couple of years have taken their lives."
The Investigators believe that the paedophiles have geographically researched the areas where they wish to target victims. They say that British children may be targeted because of the accessibility of the English language and because foreign abusers believe the liberal nature of UK society makes it an easy target.