DuPage state’s attorney’s, educators launch awareness campaign to combat rise in sextortion

The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the DuPage Regional Office of Education, local school districts and the Aurora and Carol Stream police departments, has launched a countywide digital safety campaign to combat the rise of financial sextortion schemes targeting youth.Public officials are releasing two educational awareness videos designed to help teens identify online predators, report incidents without shame and give parents actionable steps to protect their children, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office news release.“Financial sextortion is a predatory crime that thrives in secrecy and fear,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “Working in tandem with our law enforcement agencies, school leaders and parents throughout DuPage County, we are delivering a clear message to our youth: ‘You are not alone, you are not in trouble and help is available immediately.’”Amber Quirk, DuPage regional superintendent of sch