Press Releases

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew introduced the Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (SHIELD) Act, which will address the rapidly evolving threat of online exploitation. The bill will strengthen existing laws to hold perpetrators accountable for engaging in image-based attacks against both children and adults. Congressman Van Drew is joined by five of his colleagues as original cosponsors.

"In today's world, we are seeing children and vulnerable adults being exploited and extorted in ways we have never seen before," said Congressman Van Drew (NJ-02). "Perpetrators are threatening to share intimate images or videos without consent, preying on the fear and vulnerability of their victims. While the rapid evolution of our technology has made this possible, our laws to protect victims are lagging behind, and too often, offenders are getting away with it. This bill will strengthen our current law to keep up with modern threats and ensure that those who exploit others for personal gain face real consequences."

"Sharing someone else's private images online, without consent, is predatory behavior that causes grave reputational, psychological, and social harm. It should be prosecuted," Congresswoman Dean (PA-4) said. "People deserve protection from this disturbing privacy violation. To do that, we must close the gaps in current laws and ensure law enforcement has what it needs to prosecute these cases. I am grateful to Congressman Van Drew for his partnership on this bipartisan effort to protect the online privacy and dignity of the American people."

"As a parent and someone who personally knows people who have been devastated by image-based exploitation, this issue hits close to home," Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-1) said. "The SHIELD Act is about standing up for victims—children and adults—who have endured unimaginable pain and humiliation. This bill provides the protections they deserve and ensures perpetrators are held accountable. No one should have to live in fear their private moments will be weaponized against them."

"Criminals who exploit and distribute sexual images of both minors and adults should be confronted with the full force of the law," said Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-1). "I support the bicameral, bipartisan SHIELD Act because it strengthens current law, which falls too short in protecting victims of 'sextortion' and non-consensual image exploitation and abuse. This legislation ensures prosecutors have the best tools to address the most serious privacy violations."

"In today's digital age, the exploitation of private and intimate media for blackmail has become a deeply disturbing threat, inflicting profound harm and lasting trauma on children and adults alike," said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1). "This cruel and calculated form of abuse demands immediate action. Through our bipartisan SHIELD Act, we are working to strengthen our legal system to ensure prosecutors have the tools to hold perpetrators accountable and deliver justice to those who have suffered from these heinous acts."

The SHIELD Act is endorsed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, the Rape, Abuse, and Incent National Network (RAINN), the National Association of Police Organizations, the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, Bumble, Girls Inc., the International Justice Mission, and the National District Attorneys Association.

Click here for the full text of the bill.