Marriage is not dating.
Dating is temporary. Marriage is meant to be for life.

Yet today, marriage is treated like a casual relationship—easily abandoned, with betrayal carrying little to no consequence. No-fault divorce allows a spouse to cheat, break their vows, and walk away without accountability. In some cases, infidelity is even financially and legally rewarded.

We believe this is wrong.

What We Believe

• No-fault divorce has failed
• Infidelity should be a crime
• Cheaters and homewreckers should face prison time
• Marriage should be protected as a lifelong institution

This petition expresses public opinion—not legal drafting. Many people believe that cheating causes real harm and should be treated as such under the law.

Why This Matters
Infidelity is not a victimless act. It destroys:

• Families
• Financial stability
• Self-worth
• Trust
• Children’s sense of security

When betrayal is tolerated—or worse, rewarded—marriage loses all meaning. As author Maggie Gallagher famously said, no-fault divorce amounted to “the abolition of marriage.” When vows are unenforceable, marriage becomes indistinguishable from dating.

Marriage Should Mean Something
Marriage is a public vow with legal and moral weight. Society enforces contracts, oaths, and responsibilities in every other area of life—marriage should not be the exception.

If marriage is to survive, betrayal must carry consequences.

Add Your Name
If you believe:

• Cheating destroys families
• No-fault divorce has weakened marriage
• Marriage should be for life
• And cheaters should face prison time

Then sign this petition and make your voice heard.

End no-fault divorce.
Criminalize infidelity.
Restore meaning to marriage.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this petition serious about prison time for cheaters?
Yes. This petition reflects the belief that infidelity causes serious harm and should carry serious consequences, including prison time. It is an expression of public opinion calling for stronger accountability—not a finalized legislative proposal.

 

What about false accusations?
Any accusation must be supported by clear, concrete evidence, not suspicion or hearsay. False accusations cause serious harm and cannot be tolerated. Anyone who knowingly makes a false accusation should face the same legal consequences as the cheater. Accountability must apply to everyone.

 
Isn’t prison too extreme for cheating?
Many people believe that cheating is far more damaging than society acknowledges. Infidelity can destroy families, finances, mental health, and children’s stability. We already use prison to deter behaviors that cause serious harm—this petition argues that infidelity should be viewed through that same lens.

 
What about abusive marriages?
This petition does not support trapping people in abusive situations. Abuse, coercion, and violence should always remain grounds for separation and protection. Ending no-fault divorce does not mean eliminating divorce entirely—it means restoring accountability where betrayal, not abuse, is the cause.

 
Isn’t this about controlling people’s private lives?
Marriage is not a private arrangement—it is a public, legal contract with social consequences. The law already regulates marriage, divorce, property, custody, and child support. This petition argues that fidelity should once again be treated as a meaningful obligation, not a personal preference.

 
Haven’t adultery laws existed before?
Yes. For most of American history, adultery was illegal and carried civil or criminal penalties in many states. No-fault divorce is a relatively recent change, not a timeless norm. This petition questions whether abandoning accountability was a mistake.

 
Does this mean marriage should be treated differently than dating?
Exactly. Dating is optional and temporary. Marriage is a lifelong commitment entered voluntarily and publicly. Treating marriage like dating undermines its purpose and stability.

 
What about people who don’t believe in lifelong marriage?
No one is forced to marry. But if someone chooses marriage, they should be expected to honor the vows that come with it. This petition argues that society should protect the meaning of marriage for those who enter it in good faith.

 
Is this anti-divorce?
No. This petition is anti–no-fault divorce. Divorce should exist, but it should recognize wrongdoing and protect faithful spouses and children rather than ignoring betrayal entirely.

 
What is the goal of this petition?
To show that many people believe:

No-fault divorce has failed
Infidelity causes real harm
Marriage should be treated as a lifelong commitment
Cheating should carry serious legal consequences
Public pressure and cultural change begin with expressing unpopular but deeply held beliefs.

 
Who is behind this petition?
This petition is supported by individuals who believe marriage should mean something and that accountability matters. It is not affiliated with a political party or government body.

For more information:

criminalizecheating.org​

facebook.com/criminalizecheatingnow​

instagram.com/criminalizecheating