Joyce, Katko join bipartisan task force co-chairs to tackle sexual cyber crimes

Members of Congress must find bipartisan policy solutions to end online sexual violence and cyber harassment, said U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and John Katko (R-NY), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence.

“Sexual violence has nothing to do with party affiliation and in Congress we remain committed to championing commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help eradicate this scourge,” Reps. Katko and Joyce said in a joint April 4 statement along with fellow task force co-chairs U.S. Reps. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Ann Kuster (D-NH).

Some 20 percent of adult internet users have been impacted by cyberstalking, harassing emails or other unwanted online contact, according to the Pew Research Center.

At the same time, one out of eight social media users has been targeted by non-consensual pornography, the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI) reports. 

“The internet and social media are powerful tools that are often used in a positive way, but they can also be used to target, threaten, defame and harm individuals through sexual harassment and violence,” Rep. Joyce said last week. “As a former prosecutor of 25 years, I have seen the impact these kinds of crimes have on victims and know how important it is to not only raise awareness about cyber sexual violence, but also explore ways to eradicate it.”

During its first roundtable of the 116th Congress, the co-chairs of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence set out to raise awareness about the prevalence of cyber harassment and abuse, according to Rep. Kuster. 

The lawmakers on April 3 hosted several panelists involved in combating cyber sexual violence, including Jennifer Hanley, safety policy manager at Facebook; Mary Anne Franks, president of the CCRI; and Annmarie Chiarini, director of victims services at CCRI. 

“Strong, clear action from Congress is needed to address the problem of online abuse,” Franks said. “Cyber sexual violence erodes privacy, free speech, and democracy itself, and the work of this task force is vital to stemming the tide.” 

“Having seen this issue as both a victim and an advocate, I’m heartened by the legislative progress we’ve seen,” added Chiarini. “After today’s discussion, I’m hopeful that further legislation and resources for victims is within reach.”

The task force co-chairs said they were “grateful” to hear from the subject-matter experts.

“We must take a holistic approach that involves criminalizing this behavior, supporting survivors and expanding educational opportunities, particularly to young people, to address it and prevent its occurrence,” the lawmakers said in their statement. “Aligning this work in conjunction with the efforts of state governments and private partners is critical to elevating this issue and building momentum for solutions.” 

Rep. Joyce also thanked the panelists for their testimonies and said he looks “forward to continuing the task force’s work in the 116th Congress to combat sexual violence in all its forms.”