Children and teenagers who create gruesome sadistic images on behalf of blackmailers. They scour the internet looking for vulnerable children. What can you do about this as a parent? An expert explains what you can pay attention to.
A 25-year-old man from Eindhoven was arrested in June because he played a major role in an online sadistic network, research program Zembla said. to find out. In certain chat groups, horrible images of young victims circulate. Consider images of self-harm, torture and child pornography, among other things, made by young people.
Even young children are captivated by this kind of extreme extortion. “These are young victims. From about eight to seventeen years old. The clients are often also teenagers,” says Meike Willebrands, spokesperson for the National Public Prosecution Service. “Victims are recruited on, for example, websites for people with anorexia or via gaming platforms such as Roblox.”
“Before you know it, you are in the clutches of someone who has very bad intentions.”
How can young people get involved in this? “It starts with a bond of trust,” says the spokesperson. “Before you know it, you are in the clutches of someone who has very bad intentions.”
Sadistic network 764
The 25-year-old Eindhoven resident is said to have led several groups within the online sadistic network ‘764’. The images are often shared on platforms such as Telegram and Discord.
There are an estimated several thousand members worldwide. This summer, research by NRC already showed that 25 people from the Netherlands appear to be involved.
The Public Prosecution Service will bring the Eindhove resident to court on Tuesday in an interim hearing. The Public Prosecution Service accuses him, among other things, of manipulating young victims.
According to her, it is therefore important that parents talk to their children so that they know what is happening online. A supervisor from Sterk Huis, a foundation from Goirle that helps people with difficult or threatening situations, shares this opinion.
“Also ask what is less fun and what that is.”
This counselor explains that it often concerns vulnerable young people who become victims. She believes that schools can do a lot in this area through information. But parents can also be alert to this at home. For example, it is good for parents to be genuinely interested in what your child does online, which is good for the bond of trust.
“Ask questions like: gee, let’s see what game you’re playing. Who are you talking to and how can you be sure it’s a peer? What are you talking about?” she gives as examples. Also important: “Also ask what is less fun and what that is.”
The Sterk Huis counselor has never helped a victim who was dealing with sadistic online extortion. She expects that certain red flags in online inappropriate behavior are comparable to the abuse cases she has encountered.
Withdrawal, change in behavior, suddenly wearing a different type of clothing: these can be signs that something is wrong. “If children withdraw from things that were previously very normal, that can be a big signal.”
For example, children no longer show up at school or suddenly hang out with completely different friends. “They are afraid to ask for help and do not dare to be honest. This causes them to go from one misery to another.”
