Gavin’s Law Sexual Extortion Awareness

Harrisburg Global Academy (HGA) is committed to protecting students and complying with Gavin’s Law, Act 54 of 2023, S.C. Code Ann. § 16-15-430.

Gavin’s Law establishes the criminal offense of sexual extortion, sometimes referred to as “sextortion.” Sexual extortion occurs when a person intentionally and maliciously threatens to release, exhibit, or distribute another person’s private image in order to compel or attempt to compel that person to take or refrain from taking an action against their will, with the intent to obtain additional private images or anything else of value.

Under South Carolina law, sexual extortion is a felony. The offense may constitute aggravated felony sexual extortion when the victim is a minor or vulnerable adult and the offender is an adult, or when the sexual extortion is the proximate cause of great bodily injury or death.

HGA’s Commitment

In accordance with Gavin’s Law, Harrisburg Global Academy will provide appropriate education and notification regarding the law and the dangers and consequences of sexual extortion. HGA will provide adequate notice and information to:

Students; Parents and guardians; School personnel; and The public.

HGA will provide age-appropriate student education regarding the dangers and consequences of sexual extortion and will utilize guidance and resources provided by the South Carolina Department of Education, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, as appropriate.

HGA encourages students who receive threatening, coercive, or inappropriate requests involving private or sexually explicit images to not comply with the request, preserve available evidence, and immediately report the situation to a trusted adult, school administrator, parent/guardian, or law enforcement.

Harrisburg Global Academy is committed to maintaining a safe school community and ensuring that students and families understand both the dangers of sexual extortion and the protections provided under South Carolina law.

Legal Authority: Gavin’s Law, Act 54 of 2023; S.C. Code Ann. § 16-15-430.