Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin have introduced a set of three bipartisan bills designed to address the rise in online child exploitation. The legislation includes the Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation Act (SAFE Act), the Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online Act (ECCHO Act), and the Stop Sextortion Act.
The announcement comes as the committee convenes a hearing on child safety, focusing on federal sentencing laws and measures against criminal networks exploiting children online.
Grassley stated, "Changes in technology have created new opportunities for criminals to harass, exploit, intimidate and harm American children. These horrific crimes – often committed by violent online groups who take advantage of our nation’s outdated laws – have gone unchecked for far too long. Congress must stand up for American families and finally address the online rot that is hurting children nationwide. I’m proud to introduce these bills to protect children from online abuse, hold dangerous criminals accountable and secure much needed justice for victims and their families."
Durbin added, "Because of modern technology, child predators from anywhere in the world can target American kids online. As technology has evolved, so have online child exploiters. Today, offenders are engaging in sadistic online exploitation and coercing kids to take their own lives. Big Tech continues to fail our most vulnerable because they refuse to incorporate safety-by-design measures into their platforms or make meaningful efforts to detect the increasingly violent and depraved sexual exploitation of children on their services. I’m proud to join Senator Grassley in introducing three bills aimed at curbing these horrific crimes online, in addition to continuing to work on advancing other critical reforms like my STOP CSAM Act. Congress has spent enough time investigating tech platforms’ failures; it’s now time that we deliver for the American people."
The SAFE Act aims to repeal outdated sentencing laws by directing the U.S. Sentencing Commission to develop updated guidelines that reflect modern aggravating factors in cases involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This would allow consideration of aspects such as participation in dedicated CSAM groups or use of technology to conceal identity—factors not addressed under current guidelines due to legislative restrictions.
The ECCHO Act proposes creating a new federal crime prohibiting individuals from coercing minors into harming themselves, others, or animals. The bill establishes penalties up to life imprisonment if actions result in suicide or death.
The Stop Sextortion Act seeks tougher penalties for offenders who use threats involving CSAM images to extort or coerce minors. The proposed legislation would double the maximum sentence from five years to ten years.
According to data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), 2024 saw a more than 33% increase in reports related to financially-motivated sextortion (FMS) and over 200% increase regarding sadistic online exploitation (SOE). As of May 2025, FMS schemes were linked with 40 suicides among American children.
A full committee hearing will further discuss these legislative efforts focused on enhancing protections for children against evolving forms of digital abuse.
