Westford Academy Sexting Incidents Prompt Police Warning

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Alleged sexting incidents at Westford Academy prompted a police warning to students.

School officials said there have been a number of recent events involving sexting among students but didn’t go into further detail. No arrests were announced after administrators spoke with the district attorney’s office.

“We hope that these recent ’sexting’-related events will become a learning experience not just for the students involved, but for all Westford Academy students and parents,” Det. Geoffrey Pavao wrote in a statement. “No one wants to see a young student’s life ruined with a felony conviction; however, all students need to realize that their actions have consequences.”

Here’s more from Pavao’s statement regarding common questions he said he receives about sexting:

“My child, who is under 18, sent a picture to their significant other, is this a problem?

Yes, the person who sent the picture is in as much legal trouble as the person who received the photo. The person appearing in the photo is now in possession of child pornography even if the photo is of themselves. They are also in trouble for dissemination, sending of the picture, to a fellow minor and can also be charged with the dissemination of obscene matter.

My child is under 18 and received a photo(s) from his friend and then forwarded them onto another friend but did not keep any of the photos.

This too is not acceptable… for a short period of time your child did possess the photos and then disseminated them on to another. All three of the above charges could/would apply.

What should I do if my child receives an inappropriate picture from their significant other or has a picture forwarded on to them?

The safest and best practice to make sure your child does not get in trouble for the any/all of the above offenses is to notify the police immediately/upon receipt of any such photos. While one may think instantly deleting the photo is the proper first step, it is important to properly document the incident so future allegations of possession or dissemination can not be raised.

How is my child supposed to know what the picture is before it is even opened?

Most of the time they will not know, so it is important to document and notify the proper authorities in a timely manner if they receive something inappropriate or obscene.

My child only sent the picture because they felt pressured they had to… shouldn’t the person asking for the picture be in more trouble?

Again in MA, all parties are responsible for their actions. The sending juvenile cannot take or send the pictures just as the receiver is not allowed to possess the pictures. Of course there can be other circumstances and if the person asking for pictures is threatening or extorting the sender in some way the sender may be a victim and not in trouble.

I sent a picture to someone but it was over SnapChat and it was over a year ago, I thought it was gone?

Everyone wants to believe that anything they send is quickly deleted or permanently destroyed after 10 seconds of viewing on certain “apps”. Once a picture or even a text message is sent it can always be retrieved!