Pornographic websites that profit from exploiting the images of rape and sex trafficking victims could be sued under a newly introduced bipartisan bill offered earlier this week by U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Joni Ernst (R-IA).
The lawmakers on Dec. 9 cosponsored the Survivors of Human Trafficking Fight Back Act, S. 4983, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), which would create a private cause of action allowing victims of rape and sex trafficking, as well as individuals whose intimate images are distributed without their consent, to sue pornographic sites that profit from their exploitation, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Pornographic websites routinely post videos of women who are the victims of abuse or exploitation, and it is past time these companies are held accountable for posting this disgusting content,” Sen. Tillis said.
Sen. Ernst pointed out that the bill would allow victims to bring state claims to federal court. “This bill will help empower victims of human trafficking to seek justice and put an end to the complex and heartbreaking cycle of exploitation,” she added.
If enacted, the bill specifically would criminalize the knowing distribution of visual depictions of forced or coerced sex acts, depictions of sex acts known as revenge porn, and privacy-invading locker-room images, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Additionally, the measure would require all websites hosting pornography to create notice and takedown procedures ensuring that victims of coerced or privacy-invading videos may promptly have their images removed from the internet, the summary says.
The bill has been referred to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.