Sexual exploitation in South Carolina now a felony

South Carolina now has a new law covering sexual exploitation.  The governor last week signed the Gavin’s Law bill which makes sexual exploitation, the act of blackmailing someone using sexually explicit images or videos, a felony offense.  And, if the victim is a minor or a vulnerable adult, it becomes an aggravated felony.  A person convicted of felony sexual extortion must be imprisoned for no more than five years for a first offense, no more than ten years for a second offense, and no more than 20 years for a third or subsequent offense.  A person convicted of aggravated felony sexual exploitation must be imprisoned no more than 20 years.  The new law also contains a directive for school districts to put in place a policy to educate and notify students of the law, which includes notice to students, parents or guardians, public, and school personnel of the law and the dangers of sexual exploitation.  According to the FBI, more than three thousand minors were victims of sexual exploitation schemes in 2022.