MADISON, WI – Yesterday evening, the Wisconsin Assembly voted to pass AB 923. This bill would create a civil cause of action for victims of sexual extortion (sextortion) or their family, and allow the parents or estate of a victim who takes their own life due to sextortion to file a wrongful death suit. As the bill’s author, State Representative Brent Jacobson (R – Mosinee) released the following statement:
“Last night, my colleagues and I sent a strong message that we are not done working to protect Wisconsin children from heartless online predators,” said Rep. Jacobson. “Sexual extortion has a devastating impact on its victims, their families, and their entire community. Passing this bill will give those impacted by this crime another avenue to find closure and achieve justice, and sends a strong message that Wisconsin parents will use every resource at our disposal to defend our kids.”
This bill follows 2025 WI Act 48 (Bradyn’s Law), which established sexual extortion as a felony and included enhanced penalties if the victim dies as a result. Both Bradyn’s Law and AB 923 were inspired by the tragic death of 15-year-old Bradyn Bohn of Kronenwetter, WI, who took his own life last year after falling victim to sextortion. According to the FBI, sextortion has cost American families over $65 million since 2021, and has caused at least three dozen suicides. Three of those suicides have been in Wisconsin.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the bipartisan support this bill received in committee and during last night’s vote,” said Rep. Jacobson. “I also want to thank Bradyn’s family. Their tireless advocacy and dedication to spreading awareness of this issue has been a model example of citizen engagement.”
