Healthier Hawaii: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Online predators are finding more ways to reach keiki and young adults, especially through social media and gaming platforms, experts say.

Read more Moanalua, Pearl City win team titles at 2026 HHSAA Judo Championships

Lynn Costales Matsuoka, executive director of the Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC), said while the center primarily responds to physical sexual assault, it is seeing a growing trend of technology-facilitated sexual abuse, including image-based crimes.

“These are online crimes that involve a person’s intimate images,” Costales Matsuoka said, noting many people are familiar with sexting, but a newer and increasingly common threat is sextortion — a form of online blackmail.

In sextortion cases, predators threaten to share intimate images without permission unless victims meet their demands. Costales Matsuoka said those demands are often relational or financial.

Relational demands can include pressure to stay in — or return to — a relationship, meet up in person, or provide more images. Financial demands can include requests for gift cards, or money sent through payment apps like PayPal or Apple Cash.

“Whatever the demand is, it will never be enough,” she said, adding victims may feel trapped — but “there is always a way out.”

SATC said predators may begin contact through texting — especially if two people are already in a relationship — but more often, it starts online through platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Discord and WhatsApp, even when the victim and offender have never met in person.

Read more Sonic Kapolei to open this weekend

Predators are also reaching younger children through popular gaming apps, including Roblox and Fortnite, SATC said. What can start as something seemingly harmless — like “liking” a photo or sending a message — can escalate quickly.

“The question we should always ask is: Is this online person really who they say they are?” Costales Matsuoka said, noting anonymity can make it easier for offenders to hide their identity.

How to help keep kids safe online

Costales Matsuoka encouraged families and communities to take steps to protect keiki and create space for them to ask for help:

SATC services

SATC said it can help survivors of online and in-person sexual abuse through confidential services, including a 24-hour hotline, a web chat option, and counseling resources. The center also offers crisis counseling and long-term clinical therapy for survivors and impacted family members.

If you or someone you know needs help, SATC’s confidential hotline is available 24/7 at 808-524-7273.

Read more Healthier Hawaii: What to know about GLP-1 weight loss medications