By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 73 earlier this month, increasing the penalty for those who commit sexual extortion.
The law creates a new section of Kentucky Revised Statute 531 that adds certain criteria, like actions of the victim or background of the perpetrator, that increases a sexual extortion offense from a class A misdemeanor to a class D felony. It further states that if the victim attempts suicide as a result, which “result[s] in serious physical injury or dies…within 90 days of the offense,” the perpetrator can be prosecuted for homicide or assault.
Senate Bill 73 was introduced on Jan. 10 by Northern Kentucky Senator Julie Adams and 17 other sponsors and passed unanimously on Feb. 12. It also had a unanimous House passage and was delivered to the governor on March 7.
Senator David Givens voted in favor of the bill as did Representative Steve Riley, who spoke in support of the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives on March 7. Both represent Barren County.
“No parent should have to go through this; no parent should ever have to deal with this situation,” Riley said. “This is a problem our young people…are facing that is devastating. Can you imagine the pain a parent has to go through in this situation? Can you imagine a twin having to go through this situation? [The House] have to do everything to deal with this situation. What kind of low life would use sexual extortion to devastate a human being.”
“I support this wholeheartedly,” he added.
The Glasgow Police Department reported law enforcement has seen “an increase in the number of cases” of “sextortion.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports “a huge increase” in the number of cases and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 26,718 reports in 2023, a jump from 10,731 reports in 2022 and up from 139 reports in 2021.
“Sextortion can start on any site, app, messaging platform, or game where people meet and communicate,” the police press release states. “After the criminals have one or more videos or pictures, they threaten to publish that content, or they threaten violence, to get the victim to produce more images. The shame, fear, and confusion children feel when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse. Caregivers and young people should understand how the crime occurs and openly discuss online safety. “
The Glasgow Police Department encourages people to report these crimes at 270-651-6165, or Tips@cityofglasgow.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI and report it online at tips.fbi.gov.
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