What does criminal coercion involve?

Criminal coercion specifically involves the act of threatening to expose a secret or harm an individual in some way to manipulate their actions or decisions. This threat creates a sense of fear or urgency, compelling the victim to engage in specific conduct that they otherwise would not partake in. The essence of criminal coercion lies in the use of intimidation or threats to control another person's behavior, which is captured perfectly by the notion of threatening to expose something that could lead to personal or professional repercussions for the individual.

In contrast, other options such as offering rewards for silence, encouraging behavior for a reward, or reporting wrongdoings to authorities do not typically involve threats or coercion in the same way. Offering rewards can imply a consensual exchange rather than coercion, while encouraging behavior or reporting wrongdoings often aligns more closely with lawful actions or encouragement rather than manipulation through threats or intimidation.