WASHINGTON, D.C. — NOW congratulates and supports the signing of Virginia’s SB 493, which makes the sending of lewd images without consent a civil infraction with the penalty being as high as $500.
As we work towards creating safe spaces for women, we must continue pressing legislators to examine the dangers and harassment women face online. Like flashing, cyber-flashing is “violent and pernicious” and should be categorized as a crime. We thank the Virginia legislature for criminalizing its digital form as well. We urge other states to follow Virginia’s lead and enact similar laws.
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The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the nation’s leading membership-based advocacy group dedicated to defending women’s rights, advancing equality and combating injustice in all aspects of social, political and economic life. Through educating, mobilizing, and convening a vast network of grassroots activists across the country, NOW advocates for national, state and local policies that promote an anti-racist and intersectional feminist agenda. Since its founding in 1966, NOW has been on the frontlines of nearly every major advancement for women’s rights and continues to champion progressive values today. More about NOW’s efforts and resources is available at NOW.org.