On April 28, 2025, the Take it Down Act was passed by the House of Representatives. This bipartisan bill, which unanimously passed the Senate, aims to combat the newest and most prolific form of digital sexual violence, otherwise known as non-consensual explicit materials (NCEMs). NCEMs include authentic and artificial explicit materials, formerly known as revenge and deepfake pornography.
The Take it Down Act will next be presented to the President to sign into law. This will be a major step forward in safeguarding individuals against the escalating threats posed by digital sexual violence.
“Today, survivors across America got one step closer to justice and victory. As someone who was personally targeted by deepfake pornography in an attempt to silence my advocacy, this moment is deeply personal.
I have spoken to countless victims across the country, and we all want the same thing- for these harmful images and videos to be taken down. The Take It Down Act will finally make that possible.
I am incredibly grateful to Senator Ted Cruz for his leadership. I strongly urge President Trump to sign this bill into law without delay. Survivors have waited too long,” Omny Miranda Martone, Founder and CEO of the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA), said.
Digital sexual violence has become the most rapidly increasing form of sexual violence. The Take it Down Act will empower victims across the country to take action by requiring social media companies and other online platforms to implement standardized “report and remove” procedures. These systems will ensure that reported NCEMs are reviewed and, if found to be in violation, removed within a strict 48-hour timeframe. Platforms that fail to comply with these requirements will be subjected to legal action by the Federal Trade Commission.
NCEMs cause immense emotional and social harm, often leading to significant psychological stress, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The damage can also extend to job loss, reputational damage, and heightened vulnerability to domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking. The exponential rise of NCEMs in recent years highlights critical gaps in current legislation regarding online sexual violence and underscores the urgent need for stronger, more effective protections.
By targeting tech companies and demanding proactive intervention, this bill addresses the issue at the root, ensuring systemic action to prevent these traumatic occurrences. “As a survivor of deepfake pornography, I strongly believe in this bill’s ability to support survivors and enforce tech accountability,” Martone said.
We at the SVPA implore the President to sign the Take it Down Act into law without delay. Every day of inaction allows more lives to be irreparably harmed by digital sexual violence. Survivors cannot wait any longer.
