VAWA and Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery

While VAWA itself does not create the platform removal obligations that the TAKE IT DOWN Act does, it plays a critical supporting role in the NCII legal ecosystem. VAWA funds: victim advocacy organizations that assist NCII survivors; law enforcement training on technology-facilitated abuse; legal aid clinics that provide free representation to NCII victims; and research on the prevalence and impact of digital abuse. VAWA also provides civil immigration protections for non-citizen survivors and creates grants for NCII-specific intervention programs. The 2022 VAWA reauthorization included explicit recognition of technology-facilitated abuse as a form of domestic violence.

Key facts about this term

1. VAWA funds victim services available to NCII survivors Organizations funded by VAWA — including domestic violence shelters, legal aid organizations, and rape crisis centers — often provide free assistance to NCII survivors regardless of their relationship with the perpetrator.
2. VAWA recognizes tech-facilitated abuse as domestic violence The 2022 VAWA reauthorization explicitly includes technology-facilitated abuse — including NCII distribution — within the definition of domestic violence for funding and protection purposes.
3. VAWA-funded legal aid can assist with NCII litigation Legal aid organizations funded by VAWA may provide free representation for NCII victims seeking protective orders, civil suits, or criminal prosecution support.