Governor Signs TCDA Sponsored Legislation for Victims of Revenge Pornography

On October 4, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 23. Authored by Senator Susan Rubio and co-sponsored by the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA), the bill strengthens protections for victims of revenge porn by extending the statute of limitations to one year from discovery, giving a victim more time to seek justice against those who violate their privacy. Under previous law, the crime of revenge porn had to be prosecuted within one year from the date that the image was distributed. A 2019 Tulare County case inspired the new legislation.

“I applaud Senator Rubio and CDAA for working with us to get this bill passed. This is a meaningful change in the law that could impact victims not only here in Tulare County, but across our entire state,” said District Attorney Tim Ward.

TCDA Supervising Deputy District Attorney Erica Gonzalez actively participated in drafting the bill with Senate legislators and testified in support to the Senate Public Safety Committee in March of 2021. The bill passed unanimously in both houses.

“In Tulare County, a victim of revenge porn was unable to seek justice because she did not discover that private photos of her were shared online until three years after they were was distributed,” said Gonzalez. “It was an honor working with CDAA and legislators to ensure victims of this crime have a path to justice.”

This bill applies to crimes that were committed on or after January 1, 2021, and to crimes for which the statute of limitations that was in effect before January 1, 2021, has not run as of January 1, 2021.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Supervising Deputy District Attorney Erica Gonzalez (559) 636-5494