The Clery Act, or the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics, is a federal statute that requires Universities receiving federal financial aid to produce reports and broadcast timely information about crime on and around their campuses. The Act was passed in 1990 after the horrific murder of Jeanne Clery at Lehigh University. 

UD Alert is one of the services that provides notices to members of the community about incidents that occur in the vicinity of the campus. Members of the University community receive emails and/or text messages about crimes. 

The University’s Emergency Notification Policy addresses the need to provide accurate and timely information to the campus community and public. You can find resources here on UD’s efforts to comply with the Clery Act. The Department of Education can levy fines or bar universities from receiving federal student financial aid for noncompliance.

Sextortion

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re focusing on a specific type of crime that has recently seen a dramatic rise around the world. Sextortion describes a range of crimes that involve criminals coercing victims into producing personally explicit images. Criminals threaten victims with violence or the release of explicit photos of the victim publicly or within their social circles. Tragically, sextortion is the cause of a growing number of suicides. 

Engagement can begin in a number of ways: criminals reach out on social media applications, through dating sites, or via email and threaten to release explicit photos of victims. This threat may come in an initial spam message, or it may be delivered after the criminal develops a rapport with the victim. Criminals may attempt to solicit photos or incriminating messages from victims before making financial demands and transitioning to financial sextortion. These crimes often happen to children, but can target any individual of any age. A message from a “hacker” may claim to have access to a victim’s phone or computer camera. A prospective date, gaming buddy, or mutual friend may not be who they claim. The shame, fear, and confusion can often keep victims from reporting the crime or asking for help. This crime is likely to increase with the proliferation of deepfakes, when artificially generated explicit images of victims have the potential to wreak havoc in their lives. If a criminal feels they have gained an advantage, they will push their victims for cryptocurrency, gift cards, cash, passwords, or more blackmail material. Even after receiving payment, these images can still be released.

So what can we do?

Though it may be a tough subject to broach, talk to friends and family about it. Be selective about what we and people in our community share online. Configure social media profiles to be private, disable the sharing of connections, and understand that once we share something with anyone digitally, it can be made public. When we make our information or accounts public, we assume greater risk, both for ourselves and people in our digital communities. 

Block or delete messages from strangers and always use a second method of verification when communicating with trusted individuals who are acting out of character. Every day individuals and entities are inundated with massive amounts of unsolicited communication. Spam emails, text messages, robocalls, and direct messages are sent hoping for attention. When we interact with potential malicious actors, we increase our risk of becoming a victim. People can steal accounts, too, so don’t trust, but always verify.

If you or someone you know is being targeted, get help! 

  • Report suspected cyber incidents here
  • A list of contacts for UDPD and law enforcement is located here.  
  • The UDPD non-emergency line is 302-831-2222 (or 302-831-UDPD). 
  • Victim and crisis support is available 24/7 by calling the UD Helpline at 302-831-1001 and pressing “1”. Read more at udel.edu/students/health-wellbeing/victim-services/ and www.udel.edu/knowmore.
  • Incidents not previously reported to law enforcement can be reported to Campus Security Authorities here for annual reporting purposes.