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Sadistic Online Exploitation

Sadistic Online Exploitation (SOE)

Sadistic Online Exploitation is a form of offending where digital platforms are used to manipulate, dominate, or inflict harm on others. Offenders engage in this behaviour for personal gratification, ideological motives, or a desire to control victims. The abuse often includes psychological, emotional, or physical harm inflicted through online channels.

Offenders may use threats and manipulation to coerce victims, typically children, into committing acts such as self-harm, animal abuse, sexual abuse, and in the most extreme cases, suicide.

If you or someone you know has been affected, Police has specialist investigators who are available to provide support and assistance.

How SOE occurs

Offenders typically initiate contact with victims on digital platforms popular with children and young people, such as gaming apps, social media, or forums. They build trust by offering friendship or a romantic connection, before manipulating victims into harmful behaviours that escalate over time.

Offenders often target individuals who lack strong support networks. Common tactics include grooming, coercion, and desensitisation to graphic and objectionable content. These methods are used to pressure victims into participating in increasingly harmful behaviours and creating extreme, and violent, online content.

Many offenders operate within organised online communities that facilitate serious criminal activity, including child sexual exploitation, cybercrime, and violent extremism.

What victims should know

Our investigators are actively pursuing SOE offenders and working with international partners to support global enforcement efforts.

Victims may not immediately recognise they are being exploited due to the false sense of acceptance that offenders can create. Feelings of shame, fear, or embarrassment can also prevent victims from seeking help.

Warning signs to watch for

Victims may experience serious psychological impacts, including self-harm and suicide.

Children or young people affected by SOE may show signs such as:

  • Evidence of self-harm (e.g. carved symbols or words, burns)
  • Disrupted sleep or eating patterns
  • Sudden withdrawal from family, friends, or regular activities
  • Secretive or excessive use of online devices
  • Use of extreme language, symbols, or rejection of previously held values
  • Online relationships with individuals who they have not physically met

What you should do

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 111.

Next Steps:

  1. Stop the chat immediately.
  2. Take screenshots of the offender’s username, profile picture, and messages (ensure dates and times are visible or manually recorded).
  3. Report and block the account on the platform.
  4. Report the incident to New Zealand Police:
    – Call 105 or report online at www.police.govt.nz/use-105

Other things you can do

Everyone has a role to play in raising awareness and promoting online safety.

We encourage families and caregivers to have open conversations with young people to reduce isolation and risk. More information is available at the support and resources section on this page.

Support and Resources

If you’ve been affected by Sadistic Online Exploitation or any form of online abuse, there are confidential support services and reporting channels available: