“SEXTORTION: The Hidden Pandemic,” screening in Sheridan Feb. 2

A screening of the film “SEXTORTION: The Hidden Pandemic,” will take place at Sheridan Junior High School on Feb. 2. 

Free and open to the public, doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the screening beginning at 6 p.m. A panel will follow directly after the screening to include a question and answer forum. 

The film and panel is making the rounds throughout Wyoming through a partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming Governor’s Human Trafficking Task Force, Uprising, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Wyoming Division of Victim Services.

The panel discussion will revolve around current trends in Wyoming and tips on how to keep children safer.

Recently, the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office reported a scam that has been targeting young adults using social media platforms, with victims ranging in age, some still in high school. Both the Sheriff’s Office and the Sheridan Police Department have endorsed the screening of the film. 

In a release earlier this year, Acting United States Attorney Nicholas Vassallo said sextortion is a serious crime that occurs when someone threatens to distribute private and sensitive material if they refuse to provide images or favors that are sexual in nature, or money.

“This documentary film helps parents, children, teenagers and young adults identify sextortion attempts and it explains how to report the crime if it happens to them,” Vassallo said. 

To learn more about Uprising, click here.