At The Rowan Center, we work with young people and families every day who are navigating the aftermath of sexual violence—including harm, abuse, and exploitation that happens online. With the signing of the Take It Down Act, we now have a new and urgently needed tool to help.
This legislation makes it possible for minors (and their caregivers) to request the removal of explicit images or videos from online platforms. Whether those images were shared without consent, created under pressure, or manipulated with AI, this law acknowledges the reality young people are living—and provides a way to take back control.
A law that responds to what we’re seeing on the ground
We’ve seen firsthand how sextortion, image-based abuse, and deepfake technology are showing up in our schools and communities. Middle and high school students—some as young as 10—are being targeted, coerced, and humiliated online. The emotional impact is real, causing fear, shame, anxiety, and isolation. And too often, there has been no clear path forward.
The Take It Down Act changes that. It creates a centralized system for removing harmful content. It puts responsibility on tech platforms to act. And, most importantly, it tells young people and families: you are not powerless.
This is a win—but it’s not the finish line
Laws like this are one part of the solution. At The Rowan Center, we’ll keep doing what we’ve always done—offering prevention education in schools, supporting survivors through counseling and advocacy, and helping families understand the digital threats their children may face.
We’ll also be educating our community about how to use the new law effectively, because the promise of this legislation only matters if people know it exists—and feel supported in using it.
We’re here for you
If your family has been affected by online abuse or image exploitation, please reach out. Our services are free, confidential, and available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. Whether you need immediate crisis support or simply want to talk through your options, we’re here to listen and help.
Call our 24/7 confidential hotline at 203-329-2929 (English) or 888-568-8332 (Spanish).
The Take It Down Act is an important step forward. Now, we will walk with our community to make sure this new law does what it’s meant to do: protect young people and support healing.