Relates to interpersonal violence prevention classes in secondary high schools

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Steve Rhoads says this is needed

The leaking of nude imagery and video has increased sharply in the last several years. Recent studies across multiple countries have found that image-based sexual harassment has become pervasive and normalized, particularly among youth. Victims as a whole experience severe psycho- logical effects that invade their lives along with stigma and humili- ation. Despite these increases, global studies have shown that youth are generally unaware of the illegality of non-consensual intimate imagery, (NCII), showing an overall lack of awareness and knowledge on the subject. This legislation would authorize the Commissioner to require interper- sonal violence prevention education for all health education courses at the secondary school level as a requirement for graduation. This curric- ulum would include, but is not limited to, the legal and social conse- quences of disseminating sexually explicit messages, images or video and cyberbullying as defined by statute. Instruction would also include the education reform program established pursuant to section 458-1 of the Social Services Law. By mandating an interpersonal violence prevention curriculum, specif- ically NCII dissemination, in health education at the secondary high school level, it is hoped that the program will increase awareness surrounding the issue and make victims of this type of abuse feel heard. As students are made aware of the issue; its psychological effects and potential consequences, they are less likely to engage in such activity. It has been shown that cyberbullying interventions decrease perpetration and given the statistically backed prevalence of NCII dissemination, the bill offers a solution to raise awareness and curtail its practice among a vulnerable and impressionable population.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.