A coroner in Victoria, Australia, has called for a shift in how young people are taught about online safety following the suicide of a 17-year-old boy who fell victim to a sextortion scam. Rohan Patrick Cosgriff was found dead at his home near Ballarat in July 2022, with a note in his pocket reading: 'I made a huge mistake. I’m sorry.'
Police later discovered that in the two days before his death, Cosgriff had been pressured into sending an intimate picture of himself to someone called 'Christine' on Snapchat, who then threatened to distribute the images unless money was paid. Investigators were unable to identify the person but found the Snapchat account originated from Nigeria.
In a report released last week, Victorian coroner Audrey Jamieson said that while a large amount of information is available for those who need it, there needs to be a change in education. 'The fact remains that with all the education in the world, and no matter how many times the message “don’t send intimate images” is repeated, young people will continue to do these things,' Jamieson said. 'The conversation must turn to should you find yourself in this situation, it is going to be OK.'
The coroner noted that over the past decade, 11 other young people in Australia have taken their lives after being victims of sextortion or image-based abuse, and at least seven others died after experiencing bullying of a sexual nature. 'If a young person finds themself in a situation like Rohan did, the most important thing is that they know they have not done anything wrong,' she wrote. 'And that the situation will not define the rest of their lives.'
Jamieson also suggested that Cosgriff's death could inform the statutory review of the national Online Safety Act, particularly regarding combating sextortion led by transnational crime syndicates. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 for support.
