MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — A State Senate committee today will hear public testimony on legislation that combats sextortion.
“Bradyn’s Law”, named in memory of 15-year-old Bradyn Bohn of Kronenwetter, who died by suicide on March 5 after falling victim to sextortion, would make sextortion a standalone crime in Wisconsin.
Sextortion is a form of child sexual exploitation that involves threatening or blackmailing children, often after tricking them into sending them nude or sexual images. Scammers then threaten to go public with the photos if a victim doesn’t comply with their demads.
Under the bill, perpetrators of sextortion could be charged with a Class B felony if the victim commits suicide, which would allow for imprisonment up to 60 years. The bill was unanimously passed in the Assembly earlier this year.