In Singapore, there have been reported cases of deepfakes being used to scam individuals out of their money. In other instances, deepfakes have been weaponised to create explicit content without the consent of young individuals involved, leading to severe emotional distress and reputational damage.

These examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cybersex crimes — a growing category of offences that exploit technology to target vulnerable individuals. From deepfake pornography and upskirting to sextortion, these crimes blur the lines between digital violations and real-world consequences.

Cybersex crimes, though often considered “non-contact,” can have devastating effects on victims, including long-term psychological harm, loss of trust, and damage to personal relationships.

Singaporean youths, being active digital natives, are particularly vulnerable. Their extensive online presence from Instagram to TikTok exposes them to risks they may not fully understand, making awareness and prevention crucial.

No physical harm, no problem? But here’s what the data states

According to our data from 4,370 counselling sessions in Singapore with youths, about 20-30% of counselling sessions in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 were related to boy-girl relationships or sexual stressors, with a significant portion linked to non-contact offences like cybersex crimes.

Unfortunately, only less than 30% would want to pursue reporting as sometimes the perpetrators are people whom they know. Also, they would dismiss the seriousness of the offence if there has been no physical contact, such as upskirting or cyber sex crime.

No one talks about the psychological and emotional impact

Cyber sex crime has a lasting impact on the mental health of the victims. Initially, victims often experience shock, denial, shame, guilt, and self-blame. For cases where explicit images or videos are disseminated online, victims may develop severe emotional distress, depression, or even suicidal thoughts.

The long-term consequences may result in difficulty forming healthy relationships, low self-esteem and body image issues. There is also an increased risk of substance abuse and addiction. It is also common for some to experience academic and social withdrawal.

Yet societal and cultural norms often trivialise non-contact offences, with such statements like “it’s just a picture” or blaming victims for their attire.

Is there a holistic approach?

As we work with at-risk youths, there are often ways to get a team to work with who have multi-disciplinary mental health taskforces who are qualified social workers, counsellors, youth workers and psychotherapists that provide holistic support.

Often, for more complex cases, we would collaborate with other stakeholders such as the social services agencies, hospitals, the clients family and/or their school counselors. The family members of the victims would also feel comfortable coming to counseling centres for sessions.

The right way to do is to have a therapeutic approach that is highly client centred, often involving psychological assessments, followed by appropriate modality such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), and even creative approaches like art therapy.

Can education and advocacy work?

We can address the issue through education and awareness campaigns. Schools and community organisations can incorporate lessons on digital literacy, healthy relationships, and boundaries.

There is a pressing need to strengthen laws and enforcement against sex crimes, including cyber and other non-contact offences. The anonymity of online perpetrators often diminishes accountability, making it crucial to address these gaps.

We have to educate ourselves in ways in which we can support the victims or survivors and provide resources for them to overcome the challenges. As a society, we must also actively and continuously promote a culture of consent and respect, through schools, social media content, and even movies.

Teaching boundaries and healthy relationships

At the end of the day, addressing cybersex crimes and non-contact offences requires more work. Prevention must be a key focus, with more upstream efforts like online safety education and digital literacy programs to equip youths with the tools to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.

Teaching healthy relationships and boundaries can help foster respect and understanding, while targeted initiatives such as cyberbullying and sexting prevention programs can directly address specific risks.

Involving parents in the education process is equally critical. Strengthening parent-child bonds and enhancing communication can create a supportive environment where youths feel safe discussing sensitive issues.

Ultimately, promoting a culture of consent and respect is essential. This cultural shift can be driven through schools, community initiatives, and media platforms, ensuring that the dignity and well-being of every youth are upheld both online and offline.

Contributed by Lena Teo, Director of Programme and Services at CARE Singapore.

Images: Envato