National Domestic Violence Hotline Applauds Passage of Bi-Partisan “Take It Down” Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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The legislation would address long-standing and emerging issues around nonconsensually distributed intimate imagery.
April 28, 2025 – The National Domestic Violence Hotline supports and applauds the passage of bipartisan legislation aimed at mitigating the online spread of nonconsensual AI-generated and non-synthetic images. If signed into law, the “Take It Down” Act will create accountability measures for the sharing of nonconsensually distributed intimate imagery (NDII), and require digital platforms to implement timely mechanisms for image removal. The Hotline also applauds First Lady Melania Trump on her championing this legislation alongside its sponsors, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Ted Cruz.
The Hotline has long advocated for legislative protections for victims and survivors impacted by the nonconsensual distribution of intimate images and other forms of technology-facilitated abuse. Often referred to as “revenge porn,” intimate image abuse is an increasingly common tactic used by abusive partners to assert power and control over victims of domestic violence. While this form of relationship abuse is not new, the rise of generative AI tools has enabled the creation of nonconsensual intimate deepfake images.
The inclusion of both AI-generated and non-synthetic images in the “Take It Down” Act addresses a long-standing issue and confronts the emergence of deepfake images head-on.
“For more than a decade, The Hotline has increasingly received reports from victims experiencing technology-facilitated abuse, and we see the ways in which abusive partners misuse technology to cause harm, harass and control,” Katie Ray-Jones, CEO at The Hotline, said. “We are pleased to see bi-partisan support to address this pervasive issue. The Hotline also understands the power of voices speaking out, and we are grateful for First Lady Melania Trump’s advocacy to get this passed.”
The Hotline is broadly supportive of the “Take It Down” Act and its overall goal, and we look forward to working with policy makers, the Federal Trade Commission and technology companies on its implementation. We especially hope for intervention opportunities to educate young people about the impact of nonconsensually distributed intimate imagery, and efforts to prevent young people from entering the criminal legal system.
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The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) established in 1996, serves those impacted by relationship abuse in the U.S. 24/7 with free and confidential live services provided via phone, chat, and text. The Hotline envisions a world where all relationships are positive, healthy, and free from violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse in any form, help is available — text START to 88788, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or chat online at TheHotline.org. You are not alone.