*Composite story, based on common survivor experiences
When someone used AI to create sexually explicit images of Kaliyah* that she had never posed for, she thought it couldn’t get any worse. But it did.
The AI-generated images were posted on multiple social media platforms and websites. Kaliyah was thrown into a torturous game of whack-a-mole, repeatedly reaching out to the platforms, begging them to take the images down.
Some ignored her. Some dismissed her. Some pestered her for proof that the images were non-consensual.
Even when Kaliyah succeeded in getting one platform to take down the images—they would just pop up on another one.
It was an endless cycle of humiliation and re-traumatization.
But let’s imagine Kaliyah’s experience was different.
Let’s imagine that the first time Kaliyah reported the images, the website swiftly removed them. So swiftly that people didn’t have a chance to download the images and upload them elsewhere.
Imagine how different things would be for Kaliyah. She would have a real chance to heal and move on with her life!
Well, the joyous truth is, soon this situation will no longer be imaginary. It will be a reality for survivors—thanks to Congress’ passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act!
🚨 It’s official: the TAKE IT DOWN Act has PASSED Congress and is heading to the President’s desk!
— National Center on Sexual Exploitation (@NCOSE) April 29, 2025
This bill criminalizes the upload of deepfake and non-consensual explicit content and forces platforms to take it down in 48 hours.
A win for survivors.#TakeItDownAct…
The TAKE IT DOWN Act Passes Congress: An Incredible Victory for Survivors of Image-based Sexual Abuse (IBSA)
In a monumental victory, the TAKE IT DOWN Act (S.146) has passed both chambers of Congress! The bill passed the Senate with unanimous support in February, and passed the House 409-2 this week. This means it will be sent to the President’s desk for consideration. We expect that it will soon be signed into law, as President Donald Trump has already voiced his support for the bill.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act is a game-changer for survivors of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA, a term that encompasses the non-consensual creation or distribution of sexually explicit images). For the first time, publishing or distributing non-consensual sexually explicit material is a federal crime, including AI-generated images (a.k.a. “deepfake” pornography”).
Additionally, the TAKE IT DOWN Act (introduced by Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), will require social media platforms and similar websites to remove non-consensual content and any similar images within 48 hours of notice from a victimized person. It establishes a notice and takedown provision similar to copyright law – IBSA will be removed as quickly as Disney music on a YouTube video!
The Scope and Impact of IBSA
The problem of IBSA is alarmingly widespread and has lifelong effects.
A 2025 report from Thorn found that around 1 in 8 young people personally knew someone who, while under 18, had been the target of AI-generated IBSA/“deepfake” pornography (13%) and/or someone who had used the technologies to create or redistribute AI-generated IBSA of other minors (12%). The risk is significantly higher for LGBTQ+ youth (18% and 23%).
Further, a 2017 survey found that 1 in 8 participants had been targets of the distribution, or threat of distribution, of sexually graphic images without their consent. Women were significantly more likely to have been targets this abuse compared to men.
Research and surveys show that IBSA causes significant and enduring damage to survivors’ mental health, with 51% of survivors contemplating suicide as a result of the violation.
Why the TAKE IT DOWN Act is a Promising Solution
The TAKE IT DOWN Act does not stop at holding accountable the individuals who upload IBSA; it also holds accountable the online platforms that host these images and requires them to detect and delete this material. This is of utmost importance. Only by holding online platforms accountable can we stop the traumatizing cycle of survivors’ images being shared and reshared without end.
It is imperative that the TAKE IT DOWN Act requires online platforms to swiftly remove IBSA within 48 hours, once receiving a report from a survivor or their representative. When it comes to IBSA, every second counts.
Every second that an image exists online is time that someone could be downloading it, to share or upload again in other places. Online platforms are often excruciatingly slow in responding to survivors’ takedown requests, which leads to the image being reuploaded again and again.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act helps survivors escape endless revictimization and gives them a meaningful chance to move forward.
Further, because the TAKE IT DOWN Act mimics copyright law, we can be confident it will work well. It is already working for copyrighted material!
THANK YOU For Bringing a Brighter Future to Survivors!
This groundbreaking victory wouldn’t have been possible without you.
Every single email to a legislator, every donation, every share on social media—it all mattered. Your voices amplified the needs of survivors whose stories stirred hearts and compelled action. Your financial support enabled advocacy that ushered in real change.
Because of you, we stand here today, celebrating legislation that will transform countless lives for the better.
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for being a champion for survivors!
