Sextortion cases involving both adults and youth have soared in Winnipeg, say police, who are using April, the nationally recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month, to shed light on the crime.

The Winnipeg Police Service had 19 extortion reports in 2020. In 2025, the number was 223. Although the cases are recorded as extortion, most, if not all, involve sextortion, said Const. Stephen Spencer.

"These numbers are quite concerning," he said, noting the number of reports received has grown annually from 31 in 2021, climbing to 56 in 2022, 165 and 2023 and 213 in 2024.