At least the future will be better

from Jedran - Thursday, June 09, 2005
accessed 1484 times

Here's an article I found about some new legislation against child abuse.

Mandatory Sentencing Proposed for Crimes Against Children
by Bill Wilson, Washington D.C. correspondent

The House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security is considering legislation to replace current laws with strict, mandatory sentencing for crimes against children.

Two bills are in the works: One would require sentencing of no less than 20 years to life or the death penalty. The other would put the crimes on the fast track in the court system.

The Justice Department reports that about 20 percent of girls and 10 percent of boys are sexually exploited before they reach adulthood. Less than 35 percent of the crimes are reported.

Rep. Mark Green, R-Wis., who introduced the bills, said the goal is to get tough on child predators and killers.

"Mandatory minimum penalties are favored overwhelmingly by the American public," he said. "They, like many of us, are not willing to entrust federal judges to act in a consistent manner when sentencing sexual predators for sexual abuse and exploitation of our children."

The bills are titled the Prevention and Deterrence of Crimes Against Children Act of 2005 and the Protection Against Sexual Exploitation of Children Act of 2005.

Carol and Roger Fornoff testified in support of the legislation. Their daughter, Christy, was murdered 21 years ago.

"By this fall, the case will have been in the federal courts for longer than Christy was ever alive," Carol Fornoff said. "I cannot describe to you how painful our experience with the court system has been."

Her husband added, "We don't need a judicial system that's going to go on for 20 or 30 years."

Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist said it's time to get tough on those who exploit children.

"To make a meaningful difference," he said, "I believe we will have to employ a multi-faceted strategy embracing a wide range of approaches, including prevention and education, tracking and enforcement."

In recent weeks Congress has put on the fast track several pieces of legislation aimed at protecting children.