criminalizecheating

Outlaw Infidelity,

End No-Fault Divorce.

Infidelity destroys families, harms children, and destabilizes communities. It’s time for accountability.

Join the movement.

Criminalize Cheating is a reform advocacy group focused on public awareness, legislative reform, and accountability for infidelity and relationship dishonesty. We are not a nonprofit, and contributions are not tax-deductible.

We believe fidelity is a public good—and betrayal is a public harm.

Cheaters and homewreckers should face real legal consequences, including prison time.

Our mission is to strengthen marriage as a binding institution. We oppose no-fault divorce, which Maggie Gallagher famously called “the abolition of marriage.” Marriage loses its meaning when betrayal is tolerated—or worse, financially and legally rewarded, even to the point of granting primary custody of children.

The criminalization of adultery is not radical or new. Here is a brief history of infidelity laws in America.

BY THE NUMBERS

Selected data points illustrating why cheating is not a private “mistake,” but a public harm.

If you'd like to know why men and women cheat, click here.

≈55%

of divorces cite infidelity as a major factor.

85-90%

of Americans say cheating is morally wrong.

1 in 3

children loses stability after infidelity-related breakups.

Massive public costs from divorce, single-parent homes, and mental-health impacts.

Spread the message with our merch.

WHY WE EXIST

Cheaters Don’t Fear Consequences. That Must Change.

We’re living in a culture where betrayal is becoming dangerously close to “normal.”

Common phrases like “We’re just friends,” “Don’t be insecure,” or “You’re being controlling” are too often used to disguise emotional or sexual affairs—situations that start small and escalate quietly. Cheating has become widespread, especially due to social media and dating apps, even though it should be the rare exception.

Today, many who betray their partners face few real consequences.

In some cases, the unfaithful spouse may even gain financially through divorce, while the committed partner loses stability, savings, and peace of mind. Marriage has become an increasingly risky venture. The deepest and most lasting harm, however, is often felt by the children caught in the middle.

Our mission is to bring the real impact of infidelity into the light—to highlight the emotional, financial, and family damage it causes, and to build support for policies that hold individuals accountable for the harm their choices create. We want to fortify marriage and protect it.

THE PROBLEM

The Damages of Infidelity

Infidelity causes emotional, psychological, financial, physical, and societal damage. Modern society often treats cheating as trivial or “personal,” but the reality is catastrophic for millions of spouses and children.

Below are key categories of harm, summarized. Each one is a reason the law should recognize cheating as a serious offense.

Emotional and Psychological Damage to the Betrayed Partner

PTSD-like symptoms: intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance.
Depression, anxiety, and long-term emotional instability.
Loss of self-esteem, self-worth, and identity (“Was it my fault? Am I worthless?”).
Humiliation and social shame, especially in small communities.
Obsessive or ruminative thinking, inability to focus or function normally.
Sleep disturbance, appetite loss, and physical illness from stress.
Increased substance use (alcohol, sedatives) to numb the pain.
Suicidal thoughts or attempts (“Everything is ruined. What’s the point?”).
Rage or violence directed at the cheating spouse or homewrecker.
Difficulty trusting others in future relationships.
Emotional numbness or “betrayal trauma dissociation.”

Psychological Damage to the Unfaithful Partner

Guilt and shame that can lead to depression or self-destructive behavior.
Fear of exposure and chronic anxiety; living in constant secrecy.
Cognitive dissonance from living two lives and justifying betrayal.
Commitment avoidance and relationship instability in future partnerships.
Suicide or self-harm risk after exposure and loss of family.
Narcissistic rationalization (“My partner deserved it” or “Everyone does it”).

Damage to Children

Emotional insecurity, confusion, and grief.
Higher rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems.
Lower academic performance and disrupted schooling.
Increased likelihood of early sexual activity and teen pregnancy.
Long-term distrust in relationships and fear of commitment.
Loyalty conflicts and parental alienation.
Economic instability and reduced resources after divorce.
Inconsistent discipline and supervision due to stressed single parenting.
Higher risk of substance use or delinquency in adolescence.

Financial and Economic

Divorce and legal costs (attorney fees, court fees, relocation costs).
Loss of property, savings, and long-term wealth.
Reduced productivity at work from emotional distress.
Job loss or demotion due to scandal or distraction.
Child support and alimony obligations shaped by the fallout of infidelity.
Duplicated living expenses after separation.
Medical costs: STD testing, treatment, therapy, medication.
Paternity fraud and misattributed parentage leading to financial exploitation.
Increased reliance on social services, welfare, and legal aid.

Physical and Health

Sexually transmitted infections passed unknowingly to the faithful spouse.
Unwanted pregnancies and paternity disputes.
Stress-related illnesses: hypertension, GI issues, migraines.
Chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue.
Immune-system suppression from prolonged stress.
Weight loss or gain due to stress and depression.
Psychosomatic pain (chest pain, muscle tension, headaches).

Neurological and Hormonal

Oxytocin and dopamine disruption, reducing bonding capacity.
Altered reward circuitry tied to betrayal and trauma.
Long-term emotional regulation problems linked to chronic stress.

Legal and Institutional

Divorce filings and contentious custody battles triggered by infidelity.
Perjury or fraud in financial disclosures and paternity issues.
Job loss in roles with moral-turpitude clauses (e.g., clergy, public office).
Civil liability in states that recognize alienation-of-affection claims.
Military penalties for adultery under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Social and Community

Erosion of trust in extended family and friend networks.
Gossip, social fallout, and fractured communities.
Community cynicism about marriage and commitment.
Reduced social capital and cooperation.
Damage to religious, professional, or civic reputations.

Spiritual and Existential

Loss of faith or spiritual crisis (“Why did this happen?”).
Guilt, shame, and alienation from religious communities.
Collapse of personal worldview and meaning.
Difficulty forgiving, healing, or reconciling values.

Societal-Level

Higher divorce and single-parent rates.
Increased poverty and economic inequality.
Lower educational attainment for affected children.
Erosion of civic trust: if vows mean nothing, contracts and promises weaken too.
Greater burden on mental-health systems and public resources.
Workplace instability and absenteeism from family crises.

Moral and Ethical

Devaluation of vows and promises.
Normalization of deception in culture and media.
Loss of personal integrity and authenticity.
Weakened belief in the permanence of commitment.

THE SOLUTION

Our Goal: Criminalize Cheating

Cheating is too damaging to remain legally ignored. To protect families and children, the law must evolve. We argue that infidelity and intentional homewrecking should carry real consequences.

While the exact legal framework will require careful drafting, public debate, and expert input, several principles can guide reform:

Recognize cheating as a form of harm, not a harmless “private choice.”

Introduce penalties proportional to the damage done including prison time.

Allow criminal charges against homewreckers who knowingly engage with married partners.

Strengthen paternity protections and address paternity fraud.

Protect betrayed spouses and children in custody and property decisions.

We are also interested in reforming the family court system in regards to how it treats custody agreements, child support, and the removal of no-fault divorce. We want to strengthen the institution of marriage.

We do not claim the issue is simple. Relationships are complex. But complexity is not a valid excuse for inaction in the face of obvious harm. Law can—and should—reflect reality.

SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT

You Can Help Make Accountability Real

If you believe cheating is too damaging to be ignored by the law, you can help. Your support fuels public education, outreach, and legal reform efforts.

Buy merchandise to spread awareness in your community, here.

Share our materials online and offline.

Add a bumper magnet or T-shirt to spark conversations.

Join our mailing list to stay informed as the movement grows.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse