WASHINGTON, DC (May 21, 2025) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) offered support for the DEFIANCE Act introduced into the U.S. Senate and U.S. House today.
“Anyone who posts a photo online can be the target of deepfake pornography, but there’s currently no federal law giving victims a path to justice. The DEFIANCE Act complements criminal penalties in the TAKE IT DOWN Act by providing civil remedies. Our nation needs to hold perpetrators of this abuse accountable,” said Dr. Marcel van der Watt, president, National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
The DEFIANCE Act establishes civil liability for AI-generated sexually explicit deepfakes, allowing victims to seek justice in civil court. This legislation addresses not only the publication of such content but also its creation, distribution, and possession with the intent to distribute (which includes sextortion).
About National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
Founded in 1962, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading national non-profit organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health harms of pornography.
For media inquiries, please contact press@ncose.com.
