From Obscenity to Generative AI: Prosecuting Cases Involving Child and Adult Sexual Abuse Material in an Evolving Legal Landscape

Yiota Souras, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), joins to discuss the ever-evolving fight against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and image-based sexual exploitation. We also discuss how investigators and prosecutors work to identify, prevent, and respond to the exploitation of child and adult victims. From the devastating impact of image-based abuse on victims to the complexities of modern investigations—including challenges related to AI-generated CSAM and encryption—this episode offers a critical look at how our legal and technological systems are adapting to meet this moment. Still celebrating the recently passed Take It Down Act, we explore the role of earlier landmark legislation like the PROTECT Act, and relevant cases like Miller v. California, New York v. Ferber, Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, and a pending federal case reveal about the legal boundaries and ethical dilemmas surrounding this issue.This podcast discusses the violent crimes of sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking. If you need support, please call: The National Domestic Violence Hotline, RAINN, and Polaris. For More Info: The legal landscape addressing child sexual abuse material and image based sexual abuse involving adult victims is ever changing. Please visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for resources, testimonies, and fact sheets related to the investigation and prosecution of child sexual exploitation. Please visit AEquitasResource.org for articles and webinars offering strategies on prosecuting Image Based Sexual Exploitation. You can also request a statutory compilation and analysis of the laws addressing image based sexual abuse at [email protected]. We will also be launching the National CyberCrime Resource Center later in 2025.Finally, on May 19, 2025 the bipartisan Take it Down Act was signed into law. You can find a description of the Take it Down Act and its impact here. We invite you to join us in Season 3 of Just Champions where we will discuss Take it Down in depth.