Safeguard 50k Children from Online Harm in India

Radha, in her twenties and living in a rural part of Madhya Pradesh, reached out to the Cyber Wellness Helpline after enduring more than six months of sextortion and blackmail. A man who had previously sexually assaulted her was threatening to circulate intimate images of her unless she paid him money and sent further images — a prolonged campaign of coercion that had left her in a state of severe distress and anxiety.

When Radha first called the helpline, counsellors focused on stabilising her in the moment: grounding her through the panic and distress she was carrying, and helping her understand, calmly and clearly, what her options were for reporting what had happened. With her consent, the team also brought her husband into the process, ensuring she had support close to home and helping preserve the evidence she would need to bring a formal complaint.

The support didn't end with a single call. Regular follow-ups gave Radha steady footing throughout a process that could easily have felt overwhelming, combining practical guidance with ongoing counselling aimed at helping her rebuild a sense of safety and resilience.

That sustained support made the difference. Radha was able to file a formal police complaint, and the man responsible was soon arrested.

Radha's case is a reminder of how isolating and frightening online exploitation can be, and how much of a difference immediate, informed support can make — not just in the moment of crisis, but in giving someone the steadiness to see a difficult process through to the end.

Thank you for helping make support like this possible.

For years, Vanya lived in the shadow of a nightmare. Starting in 2017, she was trapped by a former partner who used her private photos as a weapon. He threatened to send the images to her father or post them online, using her fear to demand money and favours. For seven years, the weight of this secret felt impossible to carry.

The silence finally broke late last year. With the help of a trusted friend, Vanya reached out to a counsellor at our partner's project, the Cyber Support Centre (CSC). When she walked through the doors, the first priority was her emotional safety. They provided counselling to help her process the trauma she had carried for so long and made sure she knew her rights: that the law is on her side to protect her privacy and identity.

To stop the cycle of blackmail, our partner’s project acted quickly:

Digital Protection: They used specialised tools to block her private content online and prevent it from being shared.

Legal Action:  When personal challenges made it hard to file a police report in person, our partner helped Vanya submit a formal digital application to the authorities.

Justice:  Within just two days, the police traced and caught the perpetrator.

To ensure Vanya’s long-term safety, the perpetrator and his family had to sign a legal document. It states that he will be held solely responsible if any harm comes to her or if any images are ever leaked.

This journey was about more than just a legal case; it was about Vanya reclaiming her life. She has returned for follow-up sessions with our partner organisation to rebuild her confidence and plan for a safe, peaceful future. 

Thanks to your vital support, survivors can step out of the shadows and no longer be held captive by online abuse.