Tex. Penal Code Section 21.18
Sexual Coercion


(a)

In this section:

(1)

“Intimate visual material” means the visual material described by Section 21.16 (Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material)(b)(1) or (c).

(2)

“Sexual conduct” has the meaning assigned by Section 43.25 (Sexual Performance by a Child).

(b)

A person commits an offense if the person intentionally threatens, including by coercion or extortion, to commit an offense under Chapter 43 (Public Indecency) or Section 20A.02 (Trafficking of Persons)(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8), 21.02 (Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Disabled Individual), 21.08 (Indecent Exposure), 21.11 (Indecency with a Child), 21.12 (Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student), 21.15 (Invasive Visual Recording), 21.16 (Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material), 21.17 (Voyeurism), 22.011 (Sexual Assault), or 22.021 (Aggravated Sexual Assault) to obtain, in return for not committing the threatened offense or in connection with the threatened offense, any of the following benefits:

(1)

intimate visual material;

(2)

an act involving sexual conduct causing arousal or gratification; or

(3)

a monetary benefit or other benefit of value.

(c)

A person commits an offense if the person intentionally threatens, including by coercion or extortion, to commit an offense under Chapter 19 (Criminal Homicide) or 20 (Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, and) or Section 20A.02 (Trafficking of Persons)(a)(1), (2), (5), or (6) to obtain, in return for not committing the threatened offense or in connection with the threatened offense, either of the following benefits:

(1)

intimate visual material; or

(2)

an act involving sexual conduct causing arousal or gratification.

(d)

This section applies to a threat regardless of how that threat is communicated, including a threat transmitted through e-mail or an Internet website, social media account, or chat room and a threat made by other electronic or technological means.

(e)

An offense under this section is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has previously been convicted of an offense under this section.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 858 (H.B. 2552), Sec. 16(c), eff. September 1, 2017.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1038 (H.B. 1808), Sec. 4(b), eff. September 1, 2017.

Source: Section 21.18 — Sexual Coercion, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.­21.­htm#21.­18 (accessed Mar. 16, 2024).

Accessed:
Mar. 16, 2024

§ 21.18’s source at texas​.gov