The TAKE IT DOWN LAW: A Mother-Daughter Journey from Trauma to the White House | Ep 255

MERCHANDISE SHOP: voices-for-voices.org/3QnokLU
SUPPORT VOICES FOR VOICES®:
https://www.voicesforvoices.org/shop/p/supporter

From trauma to triumph, the journey of Elliston Berry and her mother Anna stands as a powerful testament to what determined voices can accomplish. When an AI-generated deepfake turned Elliston's innocent Instagram photo into a nude image circulated throughout her high school in October 2023, they discovered a terrifying gap in our legal system. Despite the clear harm caused, no laws existed to address AI harassment, leaving the perpetrator—a minor—facing zero consequences.

Refusing to accept this injustice, Anna Berry embarked on a relentless campaign for change. After exhausting local channels, she began reaching out to legislators in December 2023. Senator Cruz, himself a father to daughters near Elliston's age, recognized the urgency of the issue and championed their cause. What followed was a remarkably swift bipartisan effort resulting in the Take It Down Act—groundbreaking legislation signed into law by President Trump on May 19, 2025, in the White House Rose Garden.

The legislation establishes critical protections by explicitly classifying AI deepfakes as pornography and requiring platforms to remove harmful content within 48 hours. The journey to this historic moment included Elliston being recognized at the State of the Union address and participating in a roundtable with First Lady Melania Trump as part of her "Be Best" initiative. In a rare show of unified support, both the President and First Lady signed the bill.

Yet their work continues beyond legislation. Currently, they're developing educational curriculum to help schools understand, prevent, and respond to AI-related harassment while supporting the creation of technology that can identify unauthorized images across the internet. As Elliston poignantly expressed, "I can now look at this situation that happened to me, instead of being fearful and ashamed, and be proud of myself." Follow their continuing journey on Instagram @ellistonberry and watch for their upcoming book that will share their full story and provide guidance for others facing similar situations.

#takeitdownact #takeitdownlaw #presidenttrump #ellistonberry #annaberry #motherdaughterjourney #traumarecovery #whitehouse #whitehouseadvocacy #potus #flotus #firstladymelaniatrump #melaniatrump #legislationprocess #youthactivism #familyresilience #storytelling #personalgrowth #politicalactivism #teenactivism #mentalhealthawareness #policychange #narrativestorytelling #empowerment #governmentlegislation #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion

The TAKE IT DOWN LAW: A Mother-Daughter Journey from Trauma to the White House | Ep 255

The Dark Side of Assembly Bill 495 | Ep 307

Justin Alan Hayes pulls back the curtain on California's controversial Assembly Bill 495, revealing a troubling disconnect between public messaging and legislative reality. While Governor Gavin Newsom promotes the bill as protection for children affected by ICE enforcement actions, the actual text creates potential dangers for every child in California.

The podcast meticulously breaks down how AB495 extends far beyond helping children whose guardians face deportation. Instead of limiting guardianship to blood relatives in specific immigration-related situations, the bill creates a sweeping mechanism where virtually anyone can claim temporary custody of any "unattended" minor through a simple one-page affidavit. This could allow strangers to legally take children momentarily left unsupervised – whether at a park, bus stop, or even glimpsed through a window while a parent steps away briefly.

Most alarmingly, these temporary guardians would gain authority to make educational and medical decisions for children without court verification or allowing medical professionals to question the arrangement. Hayes illustrates real-world scenarios where this could enable child abduction or trafficking under the guise of legal guardianship: "You have a parent who changes, they come out and they're like, 'Where's my son, where's my daughter?' In this case, a person would have been able to take that child, write a one-page affidavit that basically says I am a mentor of this child."

Beyond California, Hayes warns that as the state often leads national legislative trends, this dangerous precedent could spread across America. The episode serves as an urgent call for more thoughtful legislation that protects vulnerable children without creating opportunities for exploitation. Join the conversation and learn why this public safety concern demands immediate attention before it's too late.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Welcome to Voices for VoicesⓇ
4:25 How to Access Our Podcast
9:52 Why California Legislation Matters
18:54 Assembly Bill 495 Explained
27:20 Ice-Affected Children vs. All Children
34:12 Potential Dangers of AB 495
40:43 Closing Thoughts and Invitation

#AssemblyBill495 #DarkSideOfPolitics #LegislativeImpact #CaliforniaPolitics #PolicyAnalysis #BillCritique #SocialJusticeIssues #GovernmentTransparency #LegalReformDebate #AdvocacyAwareness #PoliticalControversy #PublicPolicyDiscussion #AB495Concerns #CivicEngagementMatters #InformedCitizenship #EthicsInGovernment #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices307

The Dark Side of Assembly Bill 495 | Ep 307

From Disney Fame to Financial Ruin: Alyson Stoner's Story (Ep 308)

"Who guards the guardians of child stars?" This burning question emerges from our powerful conversation about former Disney star Alyson Stoner, who discovered her bank account completely emptied after nearly two decades in show business.

What happens when a child performer who's been frugal their entire career wakes up to find all their earnings—over a million dollars—vanished? For Alyson Stoner of "Camp Rock" fame, this devastating reality launched an investigation that revealed systematic exploitation by her business team and, most heartbreakingly, her own mother. As career bookkeeper, Stoner's mother had been quietly paying herself monthly salaries and thousands in one-off payments throughout her daughter's childhood career, all without transparency or discussion about budgeting.

The conversation dives deep into the darker aspects of child stardom—80-hour work weeks that disrupt normal development, casting rooms where children are coached to appear "provocative," and an industry designed to package young people as products with virtually no protections. Stoner recalls being a Midwestern child entering Hollywood without any guidance, unknowingly attending what was actually a "recruitment funnel" at age six, and having her name, image, and likeness legally owned by companies before she could understand the implications.

Despite these traumatic experiences, Stoner chose compassion over legal action against her mother. Today, at 32, she's channeled her experiences into advocacy work through Movement Genius, her mental health platform, and by speaking out to protect future generations of young performers. Her story raises critical questions about exploitation, parental responsibility, and an entertainment system that continues to profit from children without adequate safeguards.

When will we say enough is enough? How can we better protect young performers from exploitation—both by the industry and, sometimes, by their own families? Join us in this essential conversation about giving voice to vulnerable children in entertainment and beyond. Subscribe, share, and be part of creating the change needed to ensure no more childhoods are sacrificed for our entertainment.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Welcome to Voices for VoicesⓇ
4:19 Introducing Allison Stoner's Financial Shock
12:04 Mismanagement and Betrayal by Business Team
21:54 The Hidden Costs of Hollywood
34:45 Family Exploitation and Industry Realities
44:05 Advocating for the Next Generation
54:54 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

#AlysonStoner #DisneyStars #CelebrityStories #FinancialStruggles #ChildActors #HollywoodReality #LifeAfterDisney #FameAndFortune #MentalHealthAwareness #SuccessToFailure #BehindTheScenes #InspirationJourney #ResilienceInAdversity #ActingCareerChallenges #PersonalGrowthStory #FromFameToRuin #camprock #jonas #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices308


From Disney Fame to Financial Ruin: Alyson Stoner's Story (Ep 308)

Time Thieves: Protecting Your Mental Space in a Demanding World | Ep. 309

Have you ever received an invitation that immediately transported you back to a time and place you'd rather not revisit? That's exactly what happened when Justin Alan Hayes, founder of Voices for VoicesⓇ, received notice of his 25-year high school reunion.

In this deeply personal episode, Justin takes us on a journey through time, contrasting life in the year 2000 with our current reality. He reflects on a world before iPhones and Facebook dominated our attention, when screen time occupied a much smaller percentage of our daily lives. But beyond the technological evolution, Justin bravely shares how receiving his reunion invitation triggered involuntary mental flashbacks to difficult high school experiences—his grandfather's passing, struggles with self-confidence, and early substance use that shaped his relationship with social situations.

The heart of this conversation centers on recognizing when your mind reaches capacity. Justin describes recent panic attacks at group events that mirrored symptoms from his 2017 mental health crash, signaling his mind needed space to reset. He introduces the powerful concept of "time stealers"—people who appear interested in your life but ultimately drain your energy without contributing positively to your wellbeing. These insights prompt us to examine our own lives, identifying what might be stealing our time and mental bandwidth, and granting ourselves permission to set necessary boundaries. When depression deepens, sometimes returning to basics—food, water, shelter, security—provides the foundation needed for healing.

Whether you're navigating social obligations, processing past experiences, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this episode offers validation and practical wisdom. Listen now, and remember that protecting your mental health isn't selfish—it's essential for showing up as your best self in the spaces and relationships that truly matter.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Welcome to Voices for VoicesⓇ
2:11 Reflecting on Year 2000
4:24 Why I Skipped My Reunion
12:57 Recent Panic Attacks
19:32 Dealing With Time Stealers
27:03 Setting Healthy Boundaries

#TimeThieves #MentalHealthMatters #ProtectYourPeace #MindfulnessInChaos #StressManagement #MentalWellness #WorkLifeBalance #ProductivityHacks #EmotionalResilience #StayFocused #InnerCalm #OvercomeDistractions #SelfCareRoutine #DigitalDetoxStrategies #HealthyBoundaries #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices309

Time Thieves: Protecting Your Mental Space in a Demanding World | Ep. 309

We're launching a publishing house, production company, record label, and more. | Ep 310

We've reached our goal of 300 episodes five months ahead of schedule and are announcing major expansion plans across multiple industries. Our growth is driven by our commitment to helping people share their voices in authentic ways.

• Opening our own publishing house called Voices for VoicesⓇ Publishing focusing on cleaner, age-appropriate content
• Launching Voices for VoicesⓇ Production to create TV shows and movies based on our published works
• Starting Voices for VoicesⓇ Records to help artists like Justin Bieber maintain control of their music and earnings
• Creating Voices for VoicesⓇ Entertainment for merchandise and memorabilia related to our content
• Establishing Voices for VoicesⓇ Parks and Real Estate with plans for themed attractions and facilities
• Working toward building a "St. Jude's of mental health" offering free care with no insurance required
• Providing travel, accommodation and meals for those seeking mental health treatment at our future facility

Please like, subscribe, and share our content as we continue to expand and help more people share their voices.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Celebrating 300 Episodes Milestone
2:47 Announcing Voices for VoicesⓇ Publishing
8:07 Introducing Production Company Expansion
13:13 Justin Bieber Connection and Record Label
22:23 Entertainment Merchandise and Future Parks
26:42 Mental Health Facility Vision

#PublishingHouse #NewLaunch #ProductionCompany #RecordLabel #CreativeIndustries #Entrepreneurship #BookPublishing #MusicProduction #IndieAuthors #FilmAndTVProduction #ContentCreation #Startups2025 #DigitalMediaBusiness #ArtisticCollaboration #CulturalInnovation #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices310

We're launching a publishing house, production company, record label, and more. | Ep 310

Ghost Mentors and Brake Checks: Life Lessons from the Road (Ep. 311)

Breaking through the 300-episode milestone five months ahead of schedule, Voices for VoicesⓇ continues its mission of amplifying untold stories and mental health journeys. Our growth reflects a fundamental truth: authentic conversations about trauma, recovery, and personal development resonate deeply with people across all walks of life.

Founded from my own mental health struggles documented in "The House of YouⓇ," this podcast serves as proof that sharing your voice can become both personal healing and a beacon for others. Each episode, whether featuring discussions on fantasy literature, rock stars battling self-doubt, or everyday heroes deserving recognition, ultimately connects back to our core mission of supporting mental wellness and recovery. The podcast's reach now extends to listeners in nearly 80 countries, proving that human experiences with mental health transcend geographical boundaries.

One of our proudest accomplishments involves supporting the Take it Down Act (now federal law), which protects individuals from deepfake exploitation by holding both tech platforms and perpetrators accountable. This legislation represents exactly what Voices for Voices stands for – addressing universal concerns that impact public safety regardless of political affiliation. Throughout our journey, we've encountered both steadfast supporters and what I call "ghost mentors" – those who appear enthusiastic only to disappear without warning. Yet the genuine connections formed through authentic storytelling create a community that extends beyond individual relationships.

Access our complete library of over 300 episodes directly at voicesforvoices.org/podcast without downloading any apps, or catch new episodes premiering on Hudson Community Television every Wednesday at 4pm Eastern. Whatever challenges you're facing, remember you're not alone – your story matters, your life has value, and your dreams deserve pursuit despite whatever obstacles stand in your way. Have you found your voice yet? Join our community and discover how sharing your story might be the first step toward healing.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Introduction and Podcast Milestone
5:16 Featured Episode Topics
8:24 Host's Mental Health Journey
11:24 Dealing with Naysayers and Ghost Supporters
19:04 The Take it Down Law Success Story
27:33 Global Impact and Future Goals

#justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices311 #GhostMentors #LifeLessons #RoadTripWisdom #BrakeChecks #DrivingPhilosophy #RoadSafetyTips #Mentorship #TravelingThoughts #AdventureWisdom #JourneyOfGrowth #LifeInMotion #MindfulDriving #LessonsFromTheJourney #ReflectiveRoadTrips #PersonalGrowth

Ghost Mentors and Brake Checks: Life Lessons from the Road (Ep. 311)

Why Building a Mental Health Community is Crucial | Ep 312

The power of personal experience drives meaningful change. That's the foundation of Voices for VoicesⓇ, where we've surpassed 300 episodes five months ahead of schedule by sharing authentic stories of mental health, trauma, and recovery.

Founded from my own journey out of deep mental health struggles, documented in "The House of YouⓇ," Voices for VoicesⓇ exists to break the silence around mental wellness and provide a platform for others to share their experiences. Our milestone 300th episode marks not just a numerical achievement, but a testament to the community we've built across nearly 80 countries worldwide.

What makes our approach unique is our ability to connect diverse topics—from fantasy literature to rock stars' struggles with self-doubt—back to our central pillar of mental health. We don't shy away from difficult conversations, like our recent coverage of the Take it Down Law, which now protects individuals from deepfake nude images. This legislation, championed by Elliston Berry and her family and signed by President Trump, demonstrates how individual voices can create nationwide change regardless of political affiliation.

We've observed that support comes in many forms, not just financial contribution. When I compare certain supporters to tailgating drivers who suddenly vanish (what I call "the ghosts"), it highlights the value of authentic, consistent connection in mental health advocacy. Real support might be as simple as mentioning our show to others, watching an episode, or engaging with our content online.

Our ambitious goal remains helping 3 billion people throughout my lifetime and beyond. You can find our content on Hudson Community Television, through our website at voicesforvoices.org/podcast (no app required), or across social platforms. Whether you're a longtime listener or discovering us for the first time, thank you for being part of this journey where every voice matters, and every story has the potential to change lives.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Welcome and Podcast Access Information
2:14 Celebrating 300+ Episodes Milestone
5:00 Mental Health Journey Behind Voices for VoicesⓇ
8:30 The Ghost Phenomenon in Support
16:42 The Take it Down Law Success Story
24:31 Our Mission to Help Billions

#MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #MentalWellness #SupportSystem #HealingTogether #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityBuilding #SelfCareCommunity #EmotionalWellbeing #MindfulConnections #PeerSupport #BreakTheStigma #MentalHealthAdvocacy #PositiveVibesOnly #ShareYourStory #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices312

Why Building a Mental Health Community is Crucial | Ep 312

When trust becomes a weapon: How predators groom their victims with guest Karla Solomon (Ep. 313)

"Trading the use of my body for basic needs" – these haunting words from Karla Solomon capture the brutal reality of human trafficking that occurs not in distant lands, but right here in America. In this powerful conversation, Karla courageously shares her journey through multiple trafficking situations, beginning when she was just twelve years old.

The episode unveils how trafficking actually works through psychological manipulation and grooming. Karla explains how her unstable childhood created vulnerabilities that traffickers expertly exploited. Removed from her mother due to neglect and abuse, then abruptly returned at age eleven, she found herself in an environment of drugs and violence. When an older woman offered the maternal care she desperately craved – waiting at bus stops, making sandwiches, offering attention – it seemed like salvation. Instead, it was calculated grooming that led to exploitation, as this "mother figure" eventually sold her to men in exchange for drugs while simultaneously addicting Karla to those same substances.

What makes this conversation particularly illuminating is Karla's insight into the psychological dynamics of trafficking. "A successful grooming process results in a victim participating in their own exploitation and sale, thinking they've made that choice willingly," she explains. This understanding challenges the common misconception that trafficking victims should simply "run away" or seek help. The invisible chains of emotional dependency, substance abuse, and psychological manipulation create bonds that are as restricting as physical restraints. Years later, as an adult struggling with opioid addiction following a medical procedure, Karla encountered a second trafficker who employed these same tactics – proving how unresolved trauma creates ongoing vulnerability.

Today, Karla works to support other survivors through direct assistance and advocacy. She understands what it means to be desperate, having experienced "being on the streets with a backpack full of dirty clothes and not having any help except for trading the use of my body." Visit karlasolomon.com to learn more about her work and how you can join the fight against human trafficking. If you suspect trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline immediately – because someone's life may depend on your call.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Welcome to Voices for VoicesⓇ
8:10 Karla's Early Childhood Trauma
17:14 Betrayal and Child Trafficking
24:20 Pregnancy and Continued Exploitation

#TrustIssues #GroomingAwareness #PredatorBehavior #KarlaSolomon #VictimProtection #PsychologicalManipulation #UnderstandingGrooming #ProtectYourself #SurvivorStories #MentalHealthMatters #AbusePrevention #TraumaInformedCare #EmpowermentThroughKnowledge #SafetyAndSupport #HealingJourney #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices313

When trust becomes a weapon: How predators groom their victims with guest Karla Solomon (Ep. 313)

Resilient Spirit: How Karla Solomon Turned Pain into Purpose (Ep 314)

What does it take to transform unimaginable trauma into a powerful force for good? Karla Solomon's journey from human trafficking victim to survivor-advocate provides a raw, inspiring answer to this question.

Continuing our conversation from episode 313, Karla shares the harrowing details of her trafficking experience - broken ribs, impossible financial quotas, and constant threats to her family's safety. The turning point came unexpectedly when she discovered a cross necklace among her belongings while hiding in a hotel bathtub. This small symbol reconnected her to faith just days before law enforcement officers raided the hotel and rescued her.

Yet as Karla candidly reveals, "The healing journey afterward was harder than what I survived." She describes hitting rock bottom in October 2017, attempting suicide before a timely call from a friend who "went to war for her" through prayer changed everything. This spiritual awakening became the foundation for her remarkable transformation and calling to help others.

Today, Karla's accomplishments defy expectations. She founded "No Longer Captive" providing emergency assistance to trafficking victims, serves as a court-certified expert witness, teaches law enforcement about trafficking dynamics, and helps shape Texas legislation through her role on the Human Trafficking Survivor Leader Council. Perhaps most powerfully, she now teaches alongside the same investigator who built the case against her trafficker.

"I am extremely proud of the woman that I have become today," Karla reflects, "because I am now a woman that would have protected me as a child." Her story reminds us that our darkest chapters don't define us, and with faith and resilience, we can transform trauma into purpose.

Visit KarlaSolomon.com to learn more about her work and her survivor devotional "Unchained." If you missed the first part of our conversation, please check out episode 313.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Welcome and Introduction
2:25 Karla's Trafficking Experience
7:15 The Faith Turning Point
13:30 From Survivor to Advocate
20:15 Working with Law Enforcement
26:13 Faith, Purpose and Self-Care
33:18 Becoming a Protector and Final Thoughts

#ResilientSpirit #KarlaSolomon #PainToPurpose #OvercomingObstacles #PersonalGrowth #TransformativeJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #InspirationDaily #EmpowermentStory #LifeLessonsLearned #BuildingResilience #MotivationalSpeaker #HealingThroughStruggle #CourageAndStrength #PurposeDrivenLife #HealingJourney #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices314

Resilient Spirit: How Karla Solomon Turned Pain into Purpose (Ep 314)

From Dreams to Reality: How Our Publishing Journey Proves the Haters Wrong (Ep. 315)

We celebrate the milestone of publishing our first book under Voices for VoicesⓇ Publishing while reflecting on the importance of self-belief despite criticism and doubt. Through 310+ episodes, we've remained committed to our mission of helping others find their voice and share their stories.

• Accessing our content easily through voicesforvoices.org/podcast with no app needed or subscription fees
• Finding community through "watch parties" where people gather to enjoy episodes together
• Breaking news about our publishing arm with "Young Siren Born: The Dream Dimension" now available on Amazon
• Dealing with dismissive reactions to our achievements and staying focused on our mission
• The importance of believing in yourself even when others question your dreams
• Embracing the serenity prayer to navigate life's challenges with grace
• Setting realistic expectations while still pursuing big goals

God bless you, God bless the United States of America, and God bless every human from every corner of the world. We love you, we believe in you, and believe in yourself.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Welcome to Voices for VoicesⓇ
5:01 The Impact of Our Work
12:14 Finding Voices for VoicesⓇ Content
16:27 Kindness to Ourselves and Others
24:49 Young Siren Born Book Release
32:35 Dealing with Doubt and Rejection
39:01 Believe in Yourself and Embrace Change

#PublishingJourney #DreamsToReality #SuccessAgainstOdds #ProvingThemWrong #AuthorsOfYouTube #BookPublishingTips #InspirationForWriters #OvercomingObstacles #SelfPublishingSuccess #HatersGonnaHate #WriterCommunity #CreativeEntrepreneurship #BelieveInYourself #ChasingDreams #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices315

From Dreams to Reality: How Our Publishing Journey Proves the Haters Wrong (Ep. 315)

Senator Ted Cruz Protects Victims of Deepfake Abuse & Voice of the Year Award Presentation | Ep 316

Digital exploitation has reached unprecedented levels with the rise of AI technology, leaving countless victims feeling powerless against non-consensual intimate images. Senator Ted Cruz sits down with Justin Alan Hayes to share the remarkable journey behind the Take it Down Act, now federal law, that's changing lives across America.

At the heart of this legislation is the story of Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old Texas high school freshman who discovered AI-generated deepfake nude images of herself circulating throughout her school. The devastating revelation came with another blow—there was no legal recourse because these artificially generated images fell outside existing child pornography laws. "It is hard to be a teenager. It's really hard to be a teenage girl right now," Cruz reflects, speaking as a father of two teenage daughters. "But if you can imagine all of your friends in ninth grade believing they're looking at naked pictures of you..."

This legislative gap prompted Cruz to create the Take it Down Act, which criminalizes sharing non-consensual intimate images (both real and AI-generated) and establishes a framework requiring platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of notification. The bill's journey represents a rare moment of unity in Washington—drafted with Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar, passing unanimously in the Senate, and ultimately receiving crucial support from First Lady Melania Trump, who helped secure its passage through the House.

The law empowers victims with a straightforward process: contact the platform hosting unauthorized intimate content, and they must remove it within 48 hours or face legal consequences. As Cruz explains, "It shouldn't take a sitting US senator making a phone call to get action." Using existing notice-and-takedown mechanisms already familiar to tech companies, the law gives victims the ability to take their lives back.

Have you or someone you know been affected by non-consensual intimate images? Share this episode to spread awareness about this powerful new legal protection and join the conversation about protecting dignity in our digital world.

Chapter Markers
0:00 Introduction to Voices for VoicesⓇ
1:30 Meeting Senator Ted Cruz
2:24 The Problem of Non-consensual Images
4:04 Elliston's Story and Creating the Act
7:23 Bipartisan Support and First Lady's Role
11:06 How to Use the Take it Down Law
12:35 Voice of the Year Award Presentation

#TedCruz #VoiceOfTheYear #2025 #DeepfakeAbuse #VictimProtection #DigitalSafety #TechEthics #MediaLiteracy #CyberecurityAwareness #PoliticalLeadership #SocialJusticeAdvocacy #OnlineHarassmentPrevention #InnovationInPolicy #EmpowerVictims #LegislativeAction #TechnologyAndSociety #justiceforsurvivors #justice4survivors #presidenttrump #firstladymelaniatrump #melaniatrump #donaldjtrump #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion #TikTok #Instagram #truth #factoverfictionmatters #transparency #VoiceForChange #HealingTogether #VoicesForVoices316

Senator Ted Cruz Protects Victims of Deepfake Abuse & Voice of the Year Award Presentation | Ep 316

💜We advocate for recovery.
501c3; EIN: 87-0932840💜

The TAKE IT DOWN LAW: A Mother-Daughter Journey from Trauma to the White House | Ep 255

Voices for Voices®

Related tracks