The Jacksonville State Attorney’s Office has added a new lifeline for victims of online sextortion. The (904) 222‑6988 number, already serving as a suicide‑prevention hotline, now offers specialized counseling for teens who are being blackmailed with private images or threatened with financial demands.
Why the new service matters
Stephen Gavin, the office’s Sextortion Initiative expert, explained that research shows a child who discovers they are being sextorted can quickly begin to consider self‑harm. “Having something concrete that people can call, where a real live human can guide them to resources, is crucial for keeping these kids alive,” he said.
The FBI defines sextortion as the threat to distribute a person’s private material unless the victim provides sexual images, favors, or money. Nationally, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded 4,604 sextortion complaints in 2025, including 623 from victims under age 20 who faced more than $55,000 in extortion demands.
Local impact and statistics
During a Tuesday news conference, officials cited data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children showing about 137 reports of financial sextortion per day in 2025—a 30 % rise from the prior year. Tragically, at least three dozen teenage boys took their own lives after being sextorted.
Here Tomorrow, the Neptune Beach‑based nonprofit that runs the hotline, reports having helped over 5,000 people and their families since its founding in 2021. The organization now adds text‑based support through an online resource page, giving victims another discreet way to seek help.
Jaguars step up
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced a $10,000 donation to fund the hotline’s staffing and counseling services. Jaguars Chief Community Impact Officer Whitney Meyer said, “We believe that access to compassionate listening and resources can make a life‑changing difference. Organizations like Here Tomorrow ensure people do not have to navigate these painful moments alone.”
State Attorney Melissa Nelson praised the partnership, noting the donation will help keep the line staffed with professionals who can provide emotional counseling and connect victims with law‑enforcement resources to prosecute their extorters.
“Someone using a fake identity persuades a young person to send an explicit photo, then says, ‘Pay me or I’ll send this photo to your friends, your family, your coaches,’” Nelson said. “For a teenager facing those threats, the fear and humiliation can be overwhelming. They may be afraid to tell their parents, unsure where to turn, and convinced that their future is ruined.”
How to get help
Anyone facing sextortion—or a concerned parent, coach, or teacher—can call the hotline at (904) 222‑6988 for immediate assistance. The number is also displayed throughout EverBank Stadium, ensuring visibility for fans and community members alike.
Here Tomorrow’s President and CEO Terrie Andrews emphasized the importance of the new webpage and hotline: “By launching the sextortion webpage as well as the hotline, we provide a soft landing page to connect teens and their parents to the appropriate law‑enforcement resources.”
The initiative reflects a broader effort by the State Attorney’s Office to combine law‑enforcement, experts, and nonprofits in tackling the rising threat of sextortion, protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
