Houston Republic

WASHINGTON – Representative Wesley Hunt (TX-38) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) yesterday introduced the Project Safe Childhood Act, which would make improvements to the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation:

"I am honored to help lead this bipartisan effort to protect our children from online abuse and sexual exploitation,” said Rep. Hunt. “This effort also helps identify and rescue victims. The Project Safe Childhood Act of 2023 empowers law enforcement and prosecutors to protect what is most precious to us all, our children," said Hunt.

“The threats our children face online from unidentified predators are vicious and pervasive,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Our bill would improve the ability of federal prosecutors and law enforcement to go after online child predators with new technology and protect vulnerable children from this heinous crime,” said Cornyn.

"International Justice Mission (IJM) supports the Project Safe Childhood Act of 2023 because it resources police and prosecutors with legal tools to hold child sex offenders accountable. IJM’s deep experience reveals that offenders use the Internet to reach into the bedrooms of children across the world, sexually abusing them in video calls while hiding behind their screens.  It’s time to end impunity for offenders who harm children in person and online.” – John Tanagho, Executive Director, IJM’s Center to End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also cosponsored this legislation. 

Background:

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The Project Safe Childhood Act would modernize the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation crimes and would make improvements to how federal prosecutors and law enforcement work together and use new technology to go after predators. This bill would require federal prosecutors and the DOJ to coordinate with law enforcement and experts to develop training materials and strategies to identify and rescue child victims while quickly arresting offenders.

The legislation is endorsed by the National District Attorneys Association, National Association of Police Organizations, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Fraternal Order of Police, Rights 4 Girls, National Children’s Alliance, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Original source can be found here.