Reports received by the 3018 helpline reveal new forms of online abuse targeting minors. The e-Enfance Association / 3018 was warning as early as mid-September, there was a sharp rise in reports and cases relating to the sexual exploitation of minors,’sexual blackmail, grooming, doxxing and even death threats. Behind these reports, the Association’s Observatory has identified modus operandi associated with the extremist cybercriminal group «The Com». These practices rely on tactics of coercion, blackmail and manipulation, primarily targeting underage girls.
From individual reports to the identification of a phenomenon
Between January and June 2026, the 3018 received 138 reports relating to Discord, more than three times the number recorded in the whole of 2025. Beyond this increase, it is the seriousness of the incidents reported that should set alarm bells ringing. The testimonies, collected by the 3018 helpline and analysed by the Observatory, reveal structured modus operandi. The perpetrator presents themselves as a minor, gradually builds a relationship of trust with their victim, shares their interests on discussion forums, and may even enter into a romantic relationship, before requesting sexually explicit content. Once the material has been obtained, it is used by the perpetrator or by groups as a means of coercion: threats to distribute the images, disclosure of personal information, doxxing or sextortion. The victim then finds themselves gradually trapped in a cycle of blackmail, isolation and control.
Sexual blackmail as a means of exerting control
In some cases reported to 3018, the blackmail goes beyond the threat of the images being shared. The demands become more violent and force minors to produce humiliating sexual content, or even to inflict physical or sexual violence on themselves. Véronique Béchu, Director of the Association’s Observatory, has warned the media outlet ICI about the trend towards «extreme acts of violence such as self-harm […] sexually explicit content featuring children». The Observatory has identified, amongst the reports received, a number of cases involving modus operandi linked to the «The Com» movement.
A masculinist movement that targets underage girls
Speaking at a Senate hearing in May 2026, Véronique Bechu described «The Com» as «a structured network disseminating content of an extremely violent nature, mainly via platforms such as Discord or messaging services” »encrypted mobiles'. This international cybercriminal network is organised around online communities which «operates according to a pattern of control akin to that seen in cult-like organisations», according to Véronique Béchu. Discord is one of the platforms used by perpetrators to make contact with victims and exert control over them. By 2025, the Association had dealt with eight reports relating to «The Com» and sexual extortion for the purpose of humiliation; by the first quarter of 2026, it had already recorded twelve.
A trial unprecedented in France
This story has taken on a legal dimension with the start, on 5 October 2026, of Rohan Rane’s trial behind closed doors at the Paris Assize Court. Presented as one of the alleged leaders of the «The Com» movement, he is accused of torture and acts of barbarity against minors. The Association has joined the proceedings as a civil party in this trial, which is the first case in France to be heard in connection with this movement. This initiative is in line with the Association’s mission to support victims, document new forms of digital violence and raise the alarm when reports received reveal phenomena that go beyond individual experiences. For the Association, this trial marks a new stage in the judicial recognition of such violence, whilst reports received via the 3018 helpline enable it to document these mechanisms and the exponential increase in reports.
If you find yourself facing a situation involving sextortion, blackmail or online abuse, it is important not to keep it to yourself and to keep hold of any evidence: screenshots, messages, account details or links to the content may be useful when reporting the incident.
The 3018 helpline supports young people who are victims, witnesses or perpetrators of cyberbullying or online abuse, as well as their families and professionals. It is free, anonymous and confidential, and is available 7 days a week, from 9 am to 11 pm.
📞By telephone on 3018
🗨️Via chat on the’App 3018
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See our media coverage:
Violence against children: the charity e-Enfance warns of a «surge» in cases on Discord and takes the matter to court Le Monde | 14 September 2026
INVESTIGATION. «He had my parents» number”: on Discord, teenagers under coercion are forced to strip or self-harm Franceinfo | 30 September 2026
The charity e-Enfance has raised the alarm over the sharp rise in violence against minors on the social media platform Discord South-West | France, 30 September 2026
«Now you’re mine»: on the Discord platform, minors under coercion are forced to strip naked or self-harm LCI | 30 September 2026
«He forced young girls to engage in acts of sexual self-harm on Discord»: what you need to know ahead of the trial of men’s rights activist Rohan Rane this Monday L’Humanité | 3 October 2026
Rohan Rane trial: a male supremacist and neo-Nazi, he forced teenage girls to undergo sexual torture online Mediapart | 4 October 2026
Violence against children: a platform under scrutiny France 2 | 4 October 2026
Online abuse of minors: trial of masculinist Rohan Rane held in camera Le Parisien | 5 October 2026
Horror on video: Rohan R., the virtual «guru» accused of inciting teenage girls to inflict self-harm, faces justice BFM | 5 October 2026
