Prevent Campus Sexual Violence & Empower Survivors

Preventing Digital Sexual Violence: SVPA’s Action Updates

The SVPA has some exciting updates on our ongoing fight against digital sexual violence.  We’re amplifying survivors’ voices, educating the public, regulating Big Tech, and advocating for federal laws. 

Webinar on Digital Sexual Violence

The SVPA and Equality Now hosted a survivor-led conversation around Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OSEA) on June 24th. 

Grounded in our recent report, speakers will discuss urgent policy tensions, such as ensuring safety without undermining free speech. Attendees will learn about current legal gaps and the role of tech platforms as well as pathways for accountability and prevention.

Watch the webinar here: Webinar- How survivors of online sexual abuse balance accountability and safety

Urging AG’s to Address ‘Nudify’ Apps

We joined Ultraviolet and 54 other advocacy organizations in signing a coalition letter calling all state Attorneys General to investigate and address the growing threat posed by AI-powered "nudify" applications.

These tools create non-consensual intimate images, and are increasingly being used to facilitate digital sexual violence. The coalition letter urges state officials to pursue enforcement actions and protect victims from emerging forms of digital exploitation.

Learn more: SVPA Joins Coalition Urging AG’s to Address ‘Nudify’ Apps

Take It Down Act: Report-and-Remove Regulations

The SVPA was a major advocate behind the Take It Down Act, which was signed into law a little over a year ago. A provision of that law requires social media companies, search engines, and other tech platforms to create easy systems for survivors of digital sexual violence to report content. The platforms have 48 hours to remove the content after receiving the report. If they fail to do so, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can take action against them as the regulatory enforcer.

The SVPA has spoken with the FTC about this provision, which recently went into effect, one year after the law passed. Our Founder and CEO, Omny Miranda Martone, was recently quoted in an article by Axios discussing what comes next for survivors and advocates. Omny was also interviewed in an article by the 19th, where they discussed the law's significance and the importance of these requirements for Big Tech. 

Learn more: The Take It Down Act is in full effect. What is it and how do you use it?

DEFIANCE Act Gains Momentum 

The SVPA wrote the DEFIANCE Act three years ago, alongside Congressmembers and survivors of digital sexual violence. Earlier this year, it passed the Senate unanimously. In March, the bipartisan bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed it. A few months ago, we held a press conference with Paris Hilton, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Representative Laurel Lee. 

Now, Paris Hilton has released a documentary about the serious harms of digital sexual violence. In the documentary she continues her strong advocacy for the DEFIANCE Act. 

Take Action: Tell your Representatives to pass the DEFIANCE Act