Bipartisan Senate issue -- Bill 1738 -- Monday's Oprah***Warning, Sensitive Issue***

[bubbaray]

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20080911_tows_predators

I have to say, this is one of the most powerful Oprah episodes I've ever seen. I dVRd it and watched tonight. I used to work in this area of the law and I still, nearly 10 years later, have a hard time with it. The offences are getting worse and worse, on younger and younger babies. One officer in the Oprah show said that the worst he's seen is the vaginal rape of a baby who still had the umbilical stump.

I'm surprised that no one has posted this earlier. It was broadcast on Monday, September 15.

[kijip]

This sort of thing is one reason I like Joe Biden so much.

The sad thing is that the younger the victim, the more likely the child is being victimized in the home. People that rape infants and young children or use them for child porn purposes are nearly all parents, relatives and caregivers. Beyond this bill, we have to do better with foster care, custody cases, and following up on CPS cases in these situations.

Just an FYI, a phone call usually means more to your Senator's office than a letter or email, especially if it is a form letter. Being willing to make it as personal as picking up the phone makes it that much more important. If you have not called your Senate office, you will usually leave a message or talk to an aide. It's easy and fast and you can follow up with a letter.

[Radosti]

Called Sen. Casey's (PA) office and the aide said he's actually a co-sponsor of the bill and appreciates that his constituents approve of the bill.

[mickminmom]

Thanks to OP for bringing this up. Called both my senators' offices in DC today!

Yay to Oprah for making sure this subject is brought to light over and over...

Katie, appreciate your comments about how to protect those children who are victimized by those who are most supposed to care for them. Brings on the tears to think of how helpless those children are....

[SummerBaby]

I didn't see the Oprah show, but will definitely contact my senator about this. Why wouldn't this pass? The link you provided said that the bill is now caught up in petty partisan politics? How could a senator NOT support a bill like this???? What could be more important than saving these children?? This is but one of the reasons politics makes me angry.

Val
DD1 7/04
DD2 7/07

[bubbaray]

Often, "well meaning" bills get lost in the shuffle -- both parties and individuals tie their support for these bills to support for other, more controversial bills. From what the lobbyist said on the Oprah show, this particular bill is about funding for law enforcement, so maybe some Senator's are tieing their support to funding bills for their own fave projects?

I actually couldn't find the bill on the Senate page. I assume Oprah's people did their homework and its the right number (and the show aired on Monday and there's no retraction or correction on her website).

If someone finds the actual bill, can you please post a link? I'd like to read it.

[firsttimemama]

ugh I clicked on this - could you post a stronger warning?
As a trauma survivor I tend to avoid this type of thing

[kboyle]

i sent out emails to both our senators, but will try and make a call to the offices tomorrow.

[kayte]

Here is a link to the Bill on Thomas

http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01738:|/bss/110search.html|

It is technically S.1738 , which may be why you couldn't find it earlier.

[shawnandangel]

Got a response from my senator:

Dear Mrs. ,


Thank you for taking the time to contact my office about the Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2007 (S. 1738), of which I am a co-sponsor. Your input is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts.

S. 1738 was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 7, 2008 for consideration by the full Senate. This bill establishes a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction that would coordinate the prevention strategies of the Department of Justice, U.S. attorneys, and the FBI. It also establishes a National Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program consisting of state and local task forces to address online enticement of children, child exploitation, and child pornography.

I agree that it is imperative that we protect our children from sexual predators through the aggressive prosecution of those who engage in child exploitation and pornography. Our federal and state law enforcement agencies do not currently have the necessary tools to combat this criminal industry. This legislation is a critical step in securing the health and safety of our children and communities by providing resources commensurate to the size and importance of the problem. Please know that should this bill reach the Senate for a vote, it will have my support.

I also want to let you know that I have voted in support of an amendment that would provide continued funding to "Project Safe Childhood." This is a program that works to prevent Internet and technology based exploitation of children. I have also voted to provide additional funding under the Adam Walsh Child Safety and Protection Act of 2006 for the United States Marshals Service to track down convicted sex offenders who have failed to register as a sex offender as required by law.

Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me as I serve you in the United States Senate.

Sincerely,

Bob Corker
United States Senator