Addressing the Rise of Sadistic Online Exploitation

Written By Chelsey Passon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Safety Compass Addresses the Rise in Trends of Sadistic Online Exploitation

PORTLAND, Ore. — Over the past few years, Safety Compass has seen a significant rise in referrals connected to online exploitation. This local trend reflects what has been reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which saw a significant increase in reports of online exploitation and child sex trafficking to its CyberTipline1. Alongside types of abuse like sextortion and commercialized child sex abuse material, Safety Compass has also received an increase in referrals tied to sadistic online exploitation (SOE)(2) that is often associated with nihilistic violent extremist networks.

The Justice Department has filed terrorism charges against members of these factions(3) who are engaging in sadistic online exploitation and nihilistic violent extremism, and both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department have made statements regarding the threat these groups pose to public safety. (4,5)

These factions use highly advanced grooming tactics that have led youth who are targeted to demonstrate sexually reactive behavior that could manifest in them harming their siblings or peer groups. Within these factions, abuse is gamified, so that youth who have been groomed progress to committing violent acts against peers and/or live streaming those acts to gain social status and, in some cases, financial gain. Members of these violent online networks also use recorded abuse and violence as a means of gaining status and notoriety. NCMEC has identified clout as a motivation, (6) and there have been documented recordings from a case prosecuted in 2026 investigated by the FBI of extreme harm to increase standing within a network. (7)

Even with this knowledge, we are forging into unknown territory. We have just begun to understand the dynamics of these groups, as their presence has increased in recent years, and there is still much that is unknown. Global and national efforts, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, have monitored the rise and proliferation of this issue, citing more than 100 groups who are actively engaging in sadistic online exploitation.(2) Student educators discourage the mention of specific names of these groups when talking about them so that children do not seek to look them up. The target group for this type of victimization are preteen and teenage children with a predominant focus on boys. We are seeing that children with pre-existing vulnerabilities are especially targeted, and that some of the grooming strategies being used by these networks include planting someone within online groups where youth are seeking community, such as mental health chat rooms or LGBTQIA+ support groups, where they then build trusting relationships with targeted youth, groom them, and then abuse these youth through gamified exploitation. Individuals committing these acts then gain credibility within the online community of these nihilistic violent extremist networks.

Indicators of sadistic online exploitation vary, and many are similar to what we look for in dynamics that we think of as “traditional” trafficking. These indicators may also be present in other high control relationship dynamics, like bullying and teen dating violence. Generally, we encourage ongoing interaction with youth, all of which are navigating their emerging identities in a world where they hope to belong somewhere and fit in. This desire can be exploited for the means of such groups. Ongoing monitoring of online communications, conversations regarding what equality and healthy relationships look like, what boundaries look like, and discussions about online and in-person safety, may all serve as deterrents and interrupters. In situations where intervention is appropriate, we recommend connecting youth to services like Safety Compass so they can work through the impact of grooming through strengths-based confidential advocacy, and to mental health support. If a community member has been harmed as a result of actions taken by the youth who was groomed, it may also be appropriate to report the situation to law enforcement.

Indicators to look for: 

  • Extreme anxiety around what would happen if the youth doesn’t have access to their phone or devices

  • A lack of supervision of online content

  • Sudden, unexplained changes in appearance, or overall well-being

  • Increase in suicidal ideation

  • Self-harm that is ritualized, in shapes or words, and/or is repetitive

  • Increasingly aggressive behavior towards peers or siblings that is inconsistent with normal behaviors

  • Other potential indicators

At Safety Compass, we work with many people who, for various reasons, are impacted by interpersonal violence. Some of the population we work with may also be in the process of being held accountable for crimes they themselves have committed, and the justice system may be involved. It is important to remember that just because someone may have acted out themselves does not mean they have not also been victimized. It is helpful to remember that these situations involve very complex dynamics. Complex issues can require that professionals take strong steps to interrupt such behaviors in order to save children’s lives and, at the same time, children acting out in this way need treatment services alongside interruption.

We believe no one should have to navigate exploitation alone. If you or someone you know has been impacted by sadistic online exploitation, human trafficking, or commercial sexual exploitation, our hotline is available 24/7. To speak with a confidential advocate immediately, call us at 971-235-0021.

NOTE: All statements are general and unassociated with any specific case. Safety Compass is a confidential agency and does not comment on specific instances, cases, or individuals without their expressed consent.

Sources:

Media Contact:

Chelsey Passon
Manager of Communications
chelseys@safetycompass.org
503-569-8512

Chelsey Passon
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