Introducing Braden's Law. This comprehensive legislation
introduces penalties for sextortion, establishes an expedited court
review for digital access requests, and allows victims and families
of victims to access the Ohio
crime victims compensation fund. This pivotal initiative, named
'Braden's Law,' aims to safeguard individuals from digital
exploitation while delivering justice to those who perpetrate
sextortion.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 16, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Cyber Dive, the visionary mind behind the
acclaimed Aqua One child smartphone, is delighted to announce its
collaboration with the Braden Markus Foundation. Founded by the
Markus Family in Columbus, Ohio,
the foundation emerged from the devastating loss of their cherished
son, Braden. Braden's tragic passing occurred a mere 27 minutes
into a digital conversation, where he fell victim to the
heart-wrenching effects of sextortion.
Jennifer Markus, the mother of
Braden Markus, was left grappling
with unanswered questions surrounding her vibrant son's tragic
decision to end his own life, mere moments after appearing joyful
and in good health. Amid Apple's rigorous privacy safeguards,
Jennifer found herself unable to gain access to Braden's
password-protected iPhone, leaving both her family and the
community in a state of puzzlement, desperately seeking answers to
the pressing question of why. The Markus family endured a grueling
year-long period of harrowing uncertainty before ultimately
discovering the distressing truth about sextortion. During this
painful journey, Jennifer and the Markus Family inaugurated the
Braden Markus Foundation, heralding the inception of Braden's
Law.
The Braden Markus Foundation is proud to announce Braden's
Law:
Outlined below are some of the changes coming to Ohio if the bill passes.
- Braden's Law would make sextortion a felony in Ohio, with severe penalties including extended
prison time for first, second, and third-degree offenses.
- This law mandates that companies provide parents of deceased
minors digital access within 30 days to prevent further tragedies
like what Braden's family endured.
- Braden's Law makes sexual extortion victims and their families
eligible for compensation from the Crime Victims Compensation
Program.
From October 2021 to March 2023, over 13,000 financial sextortion
cases involving minors were reported, resulting in at least 20
suicides, highlighting the urgent need for this legislation.
Stay up to date on the bill's status here and read the full bill
here.
Zachary Brooks, Business
Strategist at Cyber Dive, expressed enthusiasm for this
collaboration, stating, "The Markus Family's steadfast dedication
to safeguarding our youth stands as a powerful testament to the
profound influence Braden had on his family and the entire
community. Having grown up in the heart of the Midwest,
Columbus, OH, where the strength
of a community is paramount in times of adversity, I am immensely
proud to announce this pivotal partnership. I am immensely proud to
stand with individuals of such profound character who choose the
difficult path of perseverance and change over the ease of
surrender."
Braden's Law represents a significant milestone in the
relentless battle against sextortion, offering solace to bereaved
families throughout the state of Ohio.
Now, those found guilty of sextortion will be subject to severe
penalties, and families coping with loss will gain a deeper
understanding of their departed loved ones. It's an unequivocal
stride in the right direction. Cyber Dive is proud to stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with the Braden Markus Foundation in advancing
this essential legislation.
"We extend our commendations to the Markus Family and all
dedicated allies in Ohio who have
assumed a pioneering role in the formulation of consequential laws
and legislative measures. These initiatives not only safeguard
families but also institute substantial repercussions for
individuals who engage in the reprehensible crime of sextortion
against our vulnerable youth," Cyber Dive CEO Jeff Gottfurcht said. "Parents who have had to
endure the pain of losing a child and not being able to get a
glimpse into what nefarious actions online contributed to their
horrid situation are inherently coming to an end. This is a welcome
breath of fresh air juxtaposed by the sad reality of these families
'new normal.' This is not fantasy football nor clickbait stories;
these are real children who are being harmed online and we commend
the courage of the Markus family and the forward thinking of
Ohio policymakers to help other
Ohio families from falling victim
to this horrendous crime. At Cyber Dive we firmly believe in
providing equilibrium to families and making human life
better."
Derek Jackson, Co-founder &
CTO of Cyber Dive stated, "In an age where technology connects us,
it's tragic that Braden's plea for help was locked behind screens
and passcodes. It took his mother over a year to unlock his iPhone
and uncover the heartbreaking truth of his sextortion via Instagram
and Google Hangout. Braden's Law is a call to action: Tech giants,
it's time to re-evaluate your priorities. Our children's safety
should never be trapped behind a digital wall."
"Imagine your child has an Aqua One, a smartphone that lets them
talk, text, and have all the social media apps they want. At the
same time, you as the parent have an application on your phone that
lets you see everything your child is doing. If we had Aqua One,
Braden would probably still be here. We would have known he was
being threatened and could have talked and calmed him down
immediately and informed the police within those 27 minutes,"
Braden's mother Jennifer said.
The Braden Markus Foundation
The Braden Markus Foundation is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to advocating for the protection of individuals against
digital threats. Named in memory of Braden
Markus, the foundation tirelessly raises awareness, drives
legislative change, and supports initiatives that enhance digital
security and online safety. Beyond its commitment to digital
safety, the Braden Markus Foundation also honors Braden's legacy by
awarding scholarships to high school seniors destined for college,
especially those who actively participate in extracurricular
activities, in alignment with Braden's own desires. Every donation
carries a tax incentive while being channeled exclusively towards
empowering high school seniors to persist in their deliberate
pursuit of higher education and enriching extracurricular
activities.
For more information, please visit
www.bradenmarkusfoundation.org.
Cyber Dive
Cyber Dive designed Aqua One with a precise mission in mind: to
proactively address critical situations like the one Braden
endured. Through its innovative software, enabling parents to
monitor their child's Aqua One smartphone activities in real time,
Cyber Dive seeks to prevent such incidents from occurring.
For further details, please visit www.cyberdive.co.
Media Contact
Cyber Dive, Cyber Dive, 1 (480) 561-8319,, media@cyberdive.co,
cyberdive.co
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content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/cyber-dive-and-the-braden-markus-foundation-introduce-bradens-law-a-bold-and-decisive-piece-of-legislation-against-sextortion-302147594.html
SOURCE Cyber Dive