Vital Legislation to Address Image-Based Sexual Assault and Coercive Control in Domestic Abuse Moves Forward in Massachusetts Legislature

Vital Legislation to Address Image-Based Sexual Assault and Coercive Control in Domestic Abuse Moves Forward in Massachusetts Legislature 

Boston, October 19 – Last week, the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in the Massachusetts State Legislature favorably reported H.4115, An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation. The legislation advances critical protections for people experiencing sexual and domestic violence, making important progress towards addressing coercive control – a pattern of deliberate behavior by an abuser that substantially restricts another person’s safety and autonomy – and the harm of image-based sexual assault, sometimes referred to as revenge porn. 

Current law in Massachusetts (Chapter 209A) limits the definition of domestic violence to those who have experienced physical harm or fear of imminent serious physical harm, and fails to reflect the broader spectrum of abuse – rooted in systems of power and control – experienced by thousands of people statewide.  

Earlier this year, a statewide group of advocates and survivors formed the Together Rising Above Coercion (TRAC) coalition to advocate for stronger policy protections against coercive control and other forms of abuse. TRAC and other supporters have worked to advance specific, state-level legislation that would expand the state’s definition of domestic violence to recognize different forms of coercive control, including intimidation, threats to immigration status, isolation, technology abuse, and abusive litigation. 

At the same time, image-based sexual assault, sometimes referred to as revenge porn, is experienced by a growing number of younger survivors, in particular. Massachusetts is one of two states, including South Carolina, with no protections for survivors of this harm. A key priority forJane Doe Inc. (JDI) The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence – a TRAC Steering Committee member – H4115 closes this gap by creating diversion-centered approaches to curb this behavior and establishing both civil and criminal pathways for victims.  

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so it’s fitting that lawmakers would take this important and exciting step towards strengthening protections for individuals experiencing domestic violence and abuse in Massachusetts,” said Nithya Badrinath, Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy at JDI and TRAC Steering Committee Member. “Both image-based sexual assault and coercive control are widespread and dangerous; for example, 97% of domestic violence victims report experiencing harassment, monitoring, and threats by abusers through the misuse of technology, according to data from the Safety Net Project. We urge the legislature to keep up the momentum and pass An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation in order to protect survivors and help prevent future violence.”  

Now that it has been approved by the Judiciary Committee, An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation will head to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration by lawmakers. Advocates are hopeful for prompt action on this bill.  

If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence, you are not alone and help is available across Massachusetts. We urge you to contact SafeLink, the MA statewide hotline, at 877-785-2020, the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233, or visit www.janedoe.org/find_help/ to find resources near you today.