The Albanese Government is helping protect more young people from online sexual extortion, with a $450,000 investment in SmackTalk.
This life-saving program helps teenagers, families and communities understand the warning signs and know how to respond.
Online sexual extortion involves offenders threatening or coercing young people into providing explicit images or sexual material, often using blackmail or intimidation.
Research from the Australian Institute of Criminology shows that more than one in 10 adolescents has experienced sexual extortion in their lifetime, with one in three of those experiencing it more than once.
SmackTalk was founded by Wayne Holdsworth in early 2024 following the death of his 17-year-old son Mac, who was targeted by online sexual extortion.
The funding boost, an election commitment, will enable SmackTalk to train and reach more parents, community members and facilitators, develop free educational materials and collaborate with partners nationally to ensure a coordinated response to this growing online harm.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, Anika Wells:
“Teenagers who thought they had nowhere to turn have told us that SmackTalk training saved their lives.
“Online sexual extortion can have devastating effects – and no one knows that more than Wayne Holsworth.
“The Albanese Government is proud to support Wayne in expanding Mac’s legacy and preventing the immense pain and distress caused by online sexual extortion.
“Impactful education and training are some of the tools in our fight to keep young people in Australia safe online, alongside our work-leading social media minimum age law and digital duty of care.”
Quotes attributable to Jodie Belyea, Member for Dunkley:
“Wayne Holdsworth has turned an unimaginable personal tragedy into a powerful mission to protect young Australians, and I am proud that the Albanese Government is supporting SmackTalk to expand this lifesaving work. Wayne’s courage in sharing Mac’s story is helping save lives and start important conversations in homes, schools and communities across the country.
“Too many young people and families are facing the devastating impacts of online sexual extortion. Education, awareness and early intervention are critical to helping keep our children safe, and this investment will ensure more young people, parents and community members have access to the tools and knowledge they need to recognise the warning signs and seek help.
“SmackTalk began right here in Dunkley, and thanks to this funding, Mac’s legacy will continue to make a difference for families across Australia. As the local Member for Dunkley, I am incredibly proud that an initiative born from Wayne’s determination and advocacy will now reach even more communities and help protect young people from online harm.”
Quotes attributable to Founder and CEO of SmackTalk, Wayne Holdsworth:
“The funding provided by the Australian Government will save lives.
“Sexual extortion is a scourge that is designed to target our most vulnerable – Australian youth. Mac was one of those targeted and it subsequently had a significant negative impact on him.
“SmackTalk will now be able to expand its reach into regional and rural Australia, helping to mitigate the risk of sexual extortion through education.
“I am so very grateful for the support and the commitment to young Australians by the Australian Government and Minister Wells.
“On behalf of Mac, who is looking down on us with pride – thank you.”
