BOSTON - Governor Maura T. Healey today signed into law An Act to prevent abuse and exploitation, which seeks to prevent abuse and exploitation, strengthen protections for survivors, and enhance education for young people about the dangers of sexting and deepfakes.

The law adds Massachusetts to the states that have acted to prohibit image-based sexual assault – sometimes referred to as “revenge ****,” which is the non-consensual sharing of explicit images. The law extends to “computer-generated images,” such as “deepfakes,” which have recently caused alarm. It will also expand the criminal harassment statute to prohibit the distribution of sexual images without consent and increase the maximum fines for criminal harassment convictions.

“This law will save lives and strengthens our efforts to hold accountable those who would engage in abusive, coercive and deeply harmful behavior. This is about stopping violence, because nobody deserves to be subjected to threats, abuse or control,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful to the Legislature for their hard work on this legislation, as well as to all of the survivors who bravely came forward to share their powerful stories of pain, fear and trauma to make a difference for generations to come.” 

“The diversion and education components of this bill are so important to make sure young people understand the dangers of sexting and deepfakes, especially as the technology available to them is rapidly changing,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It also takes the critical step of expanding the definition of abuse to include coercive control, which will further support survivors of domestic violence that might not be physical, but still causes lasting harm and trauma.”

The law creates a diversion program for minors who share explicit images to teach them about the dangers of sexting. It allows minors charged with possessing or distributing nude images of other minors to be tried as juveniles in Juvenile Court, and it requires DESE to encourage school districts to implement age-appropriate instruction on media literacy skills for all grade levels.

The law also seeks to further protect survivors by expanding the definition of “abuse” under Chapter 209A to include “coercive control.” Coercive control is a pattern of behavior intended to threaten, intimidate, harass, isolate, control, coerce or compel compliance of a family or household member that causes fear or a reduce sense of physical safety or autonomy. Examples of coercive control are publishing sexually explicit images without consent or harming or threatening to harm a child or pet.

“The inclusion of coercive control in this bill is a vital advancement in safeguarding individuals from abuse. It acknowledges the severe impact of manipulative behaviors and provides crucial protections for victims-survivors,” said Vilma Uribe, Executive Director of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking. “Equally important is the inclusion of media literacy for our youth, empowering them to navigate the digital world responsibly.”

The law also makes the statute of limitations for certain domestic violence offenses equal to the statute of limitations for rape, assault with intent to commit rape and sex trafficking. It extends the statute of limitations for assault and battery on a family or household member or against someone with an active protective order from six years to 15 years. 

This legislation is a significant step forward in recognizing the insidious nature of domestic and sexual violence and the various forms it can take beyond physical abuse.

Statements of Support: 

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell:
"Today's legislation aligns Massachusetts with an overwhelming majority of states that already have laws on the books prohibiting revenge ****. Survivors can attest to the very real harm this type of abuse imposes on their lives, and I applaud the leadership of the Legislature and Governor Healey for enacting and signing into law a bill to hold accountable those who engage in this abuse."

Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland):
“No person’s life should devolve into chaos because a private photo was shared without their permission, and no person should fear coercion or be threatened with the sharing of such a photo. I’m proud that this legislation protects our residents and supports young people who make a mistake. I’m deeply grateful to Governor Healey for her swift signature, Senator Keenan for his relentless leadership, members of the Senate, the conferees, Speaker Mariano, Chair Day, our colleagues in the House, and especially to every advocate and survivor who has spoken out to get this across the finish line.”

House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy):
“This legislation modernizes our criminal laws by ensuring that those who share explicit images of others without their consent face punishment, while also educating minors on the dangers of sharing explicit images of themselves rather than imposing upon them some of the criminal justice system’s most severe consequences. I’m also incredibly proud of this legislation’s bolstered protections for survivors, including the added consideration of nonphysical forms of abuse for those who are seeking restraining orders from their abusers. I want to thank Governor Healey, Chairman Day and my colleagues in the House, as well as Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, for prioritizing this legislation, and for working diligently to get it done.”

Senator John F. Keenan:
"I hope that the signing of this bill brings some closure for revenge **** and coercive control survivors, pays tribute to the courage of those who advocated for this new law, gives hope to those who still suffer, protects those at risk, and from now on provides resources and recourse to those who may experience abuse."

Representative Michael S. Day (D-Stoneham), House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and House Chair of the conference committee:
“The House has heard the urgent call of survivors to enhance protections and ensure that our laws keep up with technology. But the House does not just listen, we act. This law will provide essential protections to survivors of predatory acts while, at the same time, intelligently addressing risky adolescent behavior through education and not necessarily only criminalization.”

Shaquera Robinson, Founding Member of Together Rising Against Coercion Coalition (TRAC) & Founder of Shaquera’s Story Domestic Violence Consulting & Coaching:
“To God be the glory! Coercive Control being signed into law today, could have helped me in my personal experience almost 7 years ago. What TRAC and the legislative teams have been able to do to get us to this point, could have benefited me from losing my career as an early educator, saved us from having to flee multiple times and still being stalked and harassed by the perpetrator in my case. Today, I am grateful to take even a small part in seeing H.4744 come to fruition, yet I’m not too far removed from needing its legal protections myself. Passing this bill means that survivors voices can be not just heard, but that we are believed and that we now have a criminal legal system that finally gets it! H.4744 is for every victim to now being able to say, ‘I was once a statistic, because of what happened to me caused me to lose my identity of self as I have been forced to adopt this new normal as a victim. Because of the selfless work of so many, now I’m recognized across the state of MA as a survivor!’”

Katelynn Spencer, Survivor & Advocate:
“The bill has been in the making for so long; since before I found out I was exploited. I can finally now say I have justice because this bill is going to help so many people. I’m beyond excited with this getting signed.”