Local lawmaker's bill backs more training for police as sextortion cases gain prominence

Rep. Gail Pavliga, R-Atwater, on Nov. 14 introduced a bill that would require the state to develop and distribute training materials about sextortion for police officers. Earlier this year, Pavliga called sextortion a crisis in Ohio.

The bill directs the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission to develop the materials but doesn’t require officers to be trained. As of Nov. 28, the bill had been referred to the Homeland Security Committee.

A number of similar measures have been enacted over the years to call officers’ attention to issues like interacting with people who have dementia or have been trafficked.

This proposed law is tied to a local tragedy. In November 2022, a Streetsboro High School senior died by suicide after being tricked into sharing explicit images and then extorted, according to media reports. Scammers who threatened to send his image to others continued to harass James Woods, 17, even after he gave scammers a $100 gift card, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

James died Nov. 19, 2022. At least three more Streetsboro students were targeted in the following months, and a federal report says financial sextortion is on the rise.

On a related note, state legislation that was championed by Pavliga, Woods’ parents and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, the Social Media Parental Notification Act, was signed into law in July as part of the state budget. It takes effect Jan. 24 and requires social media companies, such as Instagram and TikTok, to get parents’ permission before children under 16 can use the site. If a parent does not give verified consent, the company must deny access to the child.