STATEMENT on the House Passage of An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation
Justice Law Collaborative (JLC), led by attorneys with deep experience in civil rights, sexual assault and discrimination, sex trafficking and abuse, shared the following about the passing of H.4744, An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation, signed into law on June 20, 2024 by Governor Maura Healey.
As advocates who have represented people who have been traumatized as a result of coercive threats and nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, we applaud this long overdue legislation.
We have seen firsthand the psychological, physical, and even economic hardships that often manifest in these situations including but not limited to PTSD, depression, anxiety, difficulty with romantic relationships, trust issues, eating disorders, as well as severe implications on survivors' employment and employability.
Coercive threats and dissemination of private images remove the survivor's choice and expose their most intimate moments to others against their will. Through legislation like this, survivors will be able to seek accountability and regain some of their power, which is crucial to the healing process.
Additionally, youth will receive much needed education related to these crimes and their long-lasting effects.
We are grateful to Governor Healey and all the representatives for taking this affirmative step to help survivors regain power and much needed accountability against their wrongdoers.*
Before the bill was signed into law this month, Massachusetts was one of only two states, along with South Carolina, lacking protections against image-based sexual assault. An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation addresses the gap by creating civil and criminal pathways for victims seeking protection and reparation and advances essential protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Additional measures within the newly signed law include:
- Amends the definition of “abuse” to include “coercive control” - defined as regulating and controlling communication, movements, daily behavior and finances; the isolation of victims from family or support systems, threats, intimidation and various forms of emotional abuse.
- Helps to prevent the sharing of explicit visual material without the consent of the individual being photographed or recorded.
- Increases the fine for criminal harassment from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Prevents the use of computer-generated artificial intelligence (AI) for the creation of deepfake revenge porn.
- “Revenge porn” is now punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison or a $10,000 fine.
- Provides for the development and creation of, by the Attorney General’s office, an educational diversion program for minors who engage in sexting, to provide an alternative consequence for minors to better understand the possible punishment for their actions (felony possession of child pornography charges).
- Encourages school districts throughout the Commonwealth to incorporate aspects of this program into their curriculum as a learning tool for students.
About The Justice Law Collaborative
The Justice Law Collaborative (JLC) embodies the highest level of professional, trauma-informed legal expertise associated with social justice. Led by attorneys with deep experience in civil rights, sexual assault and discrimination, medical malpractice, and personal injury cases, the firm has represented athletes abused by Olympic coach Larry Nassar, teenagers tormented by hostile, uncertified schools parading as therapy-based programs for troubled teens, and has tackled the tobacco industry. Additionally, the JLC is at the forefront of legislative reform, spearheading efforts to modify statutes of limitations and enact new laws to protect the innocent and to provide proper financial and judicial remedies to victims.