Congress just made “revenge porn” a federal offense—here’s what teens need to know.

A Rare Bipartisan Victory for Survivors

On April 28, 2025, Congress passed the Take It Down Act with overwhelming bipartisan support, marking the first time non‑consensual intimate image sharing bill—often called “revenge porn”—was classified as a federal crime.

This consensus across party lines underscores a crucial truth: sexual violence isn’t a political issue—it’s a human one that transcends ideologies. Teens and adults alike have faced the nightmare of private photos weaponized for shame, with slow takedowns and inconsistent state protections leaving them exposed. For young people especially—who often learn the law doesn’t move as fast as a social media post—the Take It Down Act is a lifeline, ensuring that when their worst fears surface online, they won’t have to navigate red tape or partisan debate to reclaim their dignity.

As we celebrate this rare moment of cooperation, we also recognize our responsibility: to spread the word, hold platforms accountable, and make sure every teen knows they have the power—and the right—to demand that their privacy and autonomy come first.

How the Take It Down Act Changes the Game for Teens

Before this law, survivors—especially teens—faced a maddening maze when private images were shared without consent. They had to hunt down each social media site’s abuse policy, submit separate takedown requests, and then wait days or weeks for a response. Even then, platforms often delayed removal, citing complex review processes or “community standards” loopholes. Worse, AI‑generated deepfakes were entirely unregulated, letting predators create and share images that looked real without any recourse.

The Take It Down Act upends this broken system in five key ways:

First, it makes distributing non‑consensual intimate images a federal crime, so perpetrators can face serious fines and jail time—no longer hidden by inconsistent state laws. Second, it forces platforms to remove reported images within 48 hours, guaranteeing survivors swift relief rather than endless waiting. Third, it explicitly covers AI‑generated content, ensuring that deepfakes depicting a teen’s likeness without permission are treated just like real photos. Fourth, it protects platforms from liability if they act in good faith—so they’re motivated to comply quickly without fear of lawsuits. Finally, it requires age‑appropriate reporting tools, giving teens clear, easy pathways to flag abuse and get help right away.

This law didn’t appear out of nowhere. Rising surveys showed one in ten teens have been victimized by image‑based abuse, and tragic headlines linked cyber harassment to youth self‑harm. Bipartisan outcry and survivor testimonies drove Congress to act. For the first time, teens nationwide can rely on a single federal standard—no more patchwork, no more excuses, and no more letting predators hide behind red tape.

#KnowB4UNude in Action

Well before federal lawmakers took notice, SafeBAE’s youth leaders were sounding the alarm on non‑consensual image sharing through our #KnowB4UNude campaign. Launched in 2020, #KnowB4UNude taught thousands of teens across the country to pause and consider the real‑world risks of sending intimate photos—and to understand their rights if those images were ever shared without permission.

In hundreds of peer‑led workshops, students shared stories of Snapchat selfies weaponized for shame or blackmail. They told us how rapidly a “disappearing” message can reappear in group chats, and how AI filters make it impossible to know where those images might end up. That feedback drove #KnowB4UNude’s toolkit—which includes step‑by‑step guides on privacy settings, quick‑reference instructions for takedown requests, and scripts for how to support a friend in crisis.

Our 2023 survey of campaign participants revealed that 87% of teens felt more confident saying no to sharing intimate images, and 73% knew exactly where to turn if their privacy was violated. These real‑life numbers weren’t abstract—they were proof that when teens lead the conversation, we can stem image‑based abuse long before laws catch up.

With the Take It Down Act now passed, those lessons find a legal foundation—and survivors finally have clear recourse. But policies only matter if we know how to use them. That’s why SafeBAE continues to amplify #KnowB4UNude, equipping every school, club, and community with the tools to protect privacy, believe survivors, and demand accountability online.

From Law to Lasting Change

The Take It Down Act gives survivors a powerful legal tool—but laws only work when communities wield them. 

First, share the news: post about the Take It Down Act with #KnowB4UNude to remind friends that non‑consensual image sharing is now a federal crime and must be removed within 48 hours. Next, bring SafeBAE’s #KnowB4UNude workshops to your school or youth group—our peer‑led trainings give every teen the language and confidence to say no, support peers in crisis, and file takedown requests. Educators and administrators can request our digital consent curriculum at SafeBAE.org, ensuring students learn these life‑saving skills before an emergency arises.

Finally, if you’ve experienced image‑based abuse or want to help a friend, access our survivor‑created toolkit for step‑by‑step guidance on reporting content, seeking legal assistance, and finding emotional support. You don’t have to face this alone—email us at info@safebae.org for personalized resources and advocacy.

Join Our Summer Activist Institute. Spend four days in Portland alongside peers from across the country learning to lead consent education in your school. You’ll leave with the confidence, skills, and network to build lasting change.

Start a SafeBAE Chapter at Your School. We provide exactly what you need—step-by-step guides, training materials, and ongoing mentorship—so you can launch peer-led consent workshops, bystander intervention trainings, and survivor support groups on campus.

Access Our Survivor-Created Toolkits. From lesson plans on healthy relationships to protocols for trauma-informed reporting, our free digital resources equip educators, parents, and students with the tools to believe survivors first and act safely.

Host a SafeBAE Speaker. Bring a SafeBAE expert into your classroom, community meeting, or parent night to share research-backed strategies and spark the conversations that protect young people.

Donate to Sustain Youth-Led Prevention. Your support ensures that Free programming, scholarships, and aftercare partnerships continue—so no survivor ever faces abuse alone, and every student has the chance to learn what consent really means.