Gavin's Law

Gavin's Law (H.3583) is legislation that makes sexual extortion, the act of blackmailing someone using sexually explicit images or videos, a felony offense and an aggravated felony if the victim is a minor, vulnerable adult, or if the victim suffers bodily injury or death directly related to the crime. In 2022, 17-year-old Gavin Guffey was a victim of sexual extortion, resulting in him taking his own life. 

The bill reads in part, "Local school districts shall collaborate with the State Department of Education, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Attorney General’s office, as appropriate, to implement a policy to educate and notify students of the provisions of this act which includes adequate notice to students, parents or guardians, the public, and school personnel of the change in law."

The South Carolina Department of Education has recommended that school districts incorporate the requirements of Gavin’s Law into the Erin’s Law curriculum and provide age-appropriate instruction on the dangers and consequences of sexual extortion to satisfy the requirements for student notification. The BCSD is implementing the South Carolina Department of Education’s recommendations.

The BCSD has updated Administrative Regulation 17 – Health Education which includes Gavin’s Law. The BCSD is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from intimidating or harassing behavior of any kind, including sexual extortion. In keeping with this commitment, the BCSD prohibits any student, staff, or third parties from engaging in any behavior that would satisfy the definition of sexual extortion or aggravated sexual extortion as described in state law.