On April 8, 2025, the Bipartisan-supported Take it Down Act was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This act, 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.
Moving forward, the Take it Down Act will be presented to the House of Representatives for a vote. If it passes within the House, the Bill will proceed to the President’s desk for final approval. Once signed into law, the Take it Down Act will mark a significant step forward in protecting individuals from the growing threat of NCEMs and digital sexual violence.
Digital sexual violence has become the most rapidly increasing form of sexual violence. The Take it Down Act will empower victims across the country 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,” said Omny Miranda Martone, Founder and CEO of the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA).
We at the SVPA urge members of the House to vote in favor of the Take it Down Act, and implore the President to sign it into law without delay.
