Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment Act
Click any stage to learn more about the legislative process.
The bill would create a new federal crime for intentionally compelling a minor to engage in self-harm, animal crushing, abusive nonsexual conduct, or sexually explicit conduct, with penalties up to life in prison if the victim dies.
It would also allow juveniles as young as 13 to be prosecuted as adults for related sex-related offenses under certain circumstances, closing a gap in current law that does not directly criminalize coercing children into these specific harmful acts.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would add a new subsection to the federal law against coercion and enticement of minors (18 U.S.C. § 2422), making it a crime to use the mail, interstate commerce, or federal maritime/territorial jurisdiction to intentionally compel a minor to engage in self-harm (including suicide or attempted suicide), animal crushing, abusive or degrading nonsexual conduct that is otherwise criminal, or sexually explicit conduct. "Compel" would explicitly include threats, extortion, blackmail, fraud, deceit, or manipulation. Violations, attempts, or conspiracies would be punishable by fines and up to 10 years in prison, rising to 20 years if serious bodily injury results and up to life if death results.
The bill would also make a conforming change to the federal juvenile delinquency statute (18 U.S.C. § 5032), adding a reference to the new offense alongside an existing one so that juveniles can potentially be transferred for adult prosecution under the same criteria already used for related sex offenses.
Key provisions
- 1Would create a new federal offense for intentionally compelling a minor to engage in self-harm, animal crushing, abusive nonsexual conduct, or sexually explicit conduct
- 2Would define "compel" to include threats, extortion, blackmail, fraud, deceit, or manipulation
- 3Would set penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, rising to 20 years if serious bodily injury results and up to life if death results
- 4Would make attempts and conspiracies to commit the offense punishable the same as the completed offense
- 5Would amend the juvenile delinquency statute to reference the new offense for purposes of potential adult prosecution of juveniles
Who would be affected
Minors who could be targeted by coercive schemes to harm themselves, animals, or engage in explicit or abusive conduct; individuals who coerce or attempt to coerce minors into such acts, who would face new federal criminal liability; federal prosecutors and courts handling these cases; and, in some cases, juvenile offenders aged 13 and older who could face adult prosecution.
Why it matters
Federal prosecutors would gain a specific tool to charge people who manipulate or threaten children into self-harm, animal abuse, or sexually explicit conduct, rather than relying on other statutes that may not directly cover these acts. Convicted offenders could face lengthy prison terms, including life imprisonment if a child dies as a result of the coercion, and some juvenile offenders could be tried as adults.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends 18 U.S.C. § 2422 (Sec. 2(a))
Adds a new subsection (c) creating a federal offense for compelling a minor into self-harm, animal crushing, abusive conduct, or sexually explicit conduct.
Amends 18 U.S.C. § 5032 (Sec. 2(b))
Adds a reference to the new offense so juveniles can be considered for adult prosecution under the same existing criteria.
How implementation would work
The new offense would be enforced through the existing federal criminal justice system: federal prosecutors would charge violations under the amended 18 U.S.C. § 2422, and courts would apply the specified penalty tiers based on whether serious bodily injury or death resulted. For juvenile offenders aged 13 or older, the conforming amendment to 18 U.S.C. § 5032 would allow the same transfer-to-adult-prosecution criteria already used for a related sex offense to apply to the new offense, subject to existing juvenile delinquency procedures and judicial discretion. No new agency, rulemaking, or reporting structure is created.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for compelling a minor to engage in certain acts: animal crushing, self-harm, obscene speech, sexually explicit conduct, or abusive or degrading nonsexual conduct.
An offense, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offense, is punishable by a fine, prison term, or both.
Additionally, in the case of an offense committed by a minor who is at least 13 years of age, the bill allows the minor to be prosecuted as an adult in federal court if certain criteria are met (e.g., possession of a firearm during the offense).
Legislative subjects
Child safety and welfare; Crime and Law Enforcement; Crimes against animals and natural resources; Crimes against children; Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation; Domestic violence and child abuse