Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez Introduces Legislation to Protect Candidates Against Sexually Explicit Images

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez

(Jersey City, NJ) – Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-32) has introduced legislation that would impose a penalty for distributing sexually explicit images of a candidate during their election cycle.

Bill A5250 would make it a third degree crime to distribute or post sexually explicit images of a person running for office, whether real or created through AI technology.

A recent study from the American Sunlight Project identified 35,545 hits matching the names of 26 US Senators and members of Congress, including 25 women (nearly 16% of all female members of Congress) on eleven websites known for spreading digitally forged or nonconsensual intimate imagery. Women may fear seeking public office because of the threat of these images getting leaked.

“With younger generations coming of age and considering potential runs for office, this is an issue we can no longer ignore,” says Ramirez. “This is an issue of sexual violence, and this is an issue of democracy. Women are already underrepresented in halls of power, and these threats to privacy and dignity must be eliminated so that all have an equal opportunity to seek public office without fear or intimidation. Our laws must catch up.”

The bill comes out of model legislation written by MyOwn Image, an organization seeking to raise awareness towards this issue and push states to adopt laws which address this growing problem. The group was founded by Susanna Gibson, whose own campaign was derailed due to nonconsensual images illegally leaked by her opponent’s political operative.

“I am deeply grateful for Assemblywoman Ramirez’s leadership on this critical issue.” said Gibson; “This type of violence disproportionately targets women in politics, sending a chilling message: stay out of public life or face harassment and discreditation. Our democracy thrives when all voices are represented, and this legislation is a significant step in protecting women’s leadership and perspectives in government.”

This legislation joins a number of other bills that combat misleading or damaging image distribution. A4174, passed by New Jersey’s full Assembly last October, clarifies that consent to taking a sexually explicit picture does not imply consent to distribute that picture. A2818, also passed by the full Assembly in June, prohibits and imposes criminal penalty on disclosure of certain intentionally deceptive audio or visual media within 90 days of election.