By Becky White
For Mission West Virginia
Hurricane – Mission West Virginia’s THINK Program will host a free educational webinar, “Catfishing, Romance and Sextortion,” on June 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The training is designed for parents, youth-serving professionals, educators, social workers and anyone who works with or cares about the safety and well-being of young people.
Young people are increasingly targeted by online scams and forms of exploitation that prey on trust, intimacy and identity. This webinar will examine the growing concerns of catfishing, romance scams and sextortion, helping participants understand how these tactics are used and the impact they can have on victims.
Attendees will learn to recognize warning signs, identify common red flags, support individuals who have been targeted, and implement strategies to help prevent future harm. As online interactions continue to play an increasingly significant role in the lives of youth, understanding these risks is essential for parents, caregivers and professionals alike.
Meet the Presenter
The webinar will be led by Sloan Thompson, Director of Education & AI Initiatives for EndTAB (End Tech-Enabled Abuse), a national organization dedicated to preventing and responding to technology-facilitated abuse.
Sloan’s work is driven by a passion for creating safer, more respectful online spaces and supporting individuals impacted by violence. Prior to joining EndTAB, she served as a Violence Prevention Coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and as the Training and Outreach Specialist for the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
At EndTAB, Sloan has developed partnerships with organizations across the country to address online harm and promote digital safety. She has provided professional development training for domestic and sexual violence coalitions, nonprofits, colleges and universities, and has collaborated with the U.S. Department of the Air Force to advance efforts aimed at preventing image-based sexual abuse and harassment across installations worldwide.
Drawing on her extensive experience in violence prevention and digital safety, Sloan helps communities better understand emerging online risks while promoting healthy relationships and positive online engagement.
Training Details
- Webinar: Catfishing, Romance and Sextortion
- Date: June 16, 2026
- Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Audience: Parents, youth services workers, educators, social workers and community members
- Registration: Required; space is limited. Register at: https://bit.ly/4etZmHo
- CEUs: 1.5 Continuing Education Units available for Social Workers and Sexual Assault Victim Advocates who attend the live session
“This training provides timely information about online risks that many young people face today,” said Jill Gwilt, Director of Mission West Virginia’s THINK Program. “By increasing awareness and understanding, we can better equip parents, caregivers and professionals to help youth navigate online spaces safely and confidently.”
This webinar is made possible through a valued partnership with the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WV FRIS), the state’s sexual assault coalition. Established in 1982, WV FRIS is comprised of West Virginia’s rape crisis centers and serves as a vital resource for victims and the professionals who support them. WV FRIS provides education, information and support to those seeking to prevent sexual violence, human trafficking and stalking, while also strengthening services across the state.
About the THINK Program:
Mission West Virginia’s THINK Program partners with schools in 19 counties to provide evidence-based education that helps young people make healthy decisions and avoid high-risk behaviors. The program is delivered by trained educators using proven curriculum shown to reduce teen pregnancy risk, sexually transmitted infections, and other sexual risk behaviors. Through ongoing training, classroom observations, and participant feedback, THINK maintains a commitment to quality, effectiveness, and positive outcomes for youth.
About Mission WV
Mission West Virginia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and families across the state through education, support services, mentorship, foster care and adoption programs, and initiatives that promote positive youth development.
Learn more at www.missionwv.org.
