The Oregon Department of Justice reported a sharp uptick in tips about “sextortion” of minors since 2020 and shared updated guidance on keeping kids safe online for Safer Internet Day on Feb. 11.

The state’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force receives cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Tips related to sextortion, categorized as “online enticement of children for sexual acts,” have increased by 857%, from nearly 200 in 2020 to nearly 2,000 last year, the DOJ said.

The FBI said sextortion “occurs when someone threatens to distribute your private and sensitive material if you don’t provide them images of a sexual nature, sexual favors, or money.”

“As a parent myself, these cases and the numbers we’re seeing in Oregon alone are deeply troubling,” said Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield. “Our investigators are dedicated to combating online threats. They are working with investigators across the country, and around (the) world in some cases, to get justice for these kids and their families.”

Oregon’s task force has received a total of 46,205 cybertips since it began in 2004, a spokesperson said. Tips have led to 353 arrests and 2,070 investigations, according to the DOJ’s 2025-2027 budget request.

There are 61 task forces throughout the country. NCMEC receives tips about sextortion and other child exploitation online and sends them to task forces.

Mark Williamson, assistant chief criminal investigator for Oregon’s ICAC, said sextortion is the “biggest issue that we’re dealing with right now when it comes to kids.”

Oregon’s task force was expanded last year after legislators approved nearly $2.7 million in additional funding for 14 additional positions to what was previously a staff of five. In addition to investigating tips, the ICAC gives education and prevention presentations and trains law enforcement on how to respond.

“That is a big component of what we’re doing — trying to prevent these incidents from happening, and educating everyone, from the kids to their families to law enforcement — so they know what to look out for and who to turn to,” said Williamson.

Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.