Governor signs bills to protect children from abuse, declares April Child Abuse Prevention Month – NKyTribune

House Bill 207 Signed by Governor Andy Beshear to Protect Children

Gov. Andy Beshear this week signed House Bill 207, which aims to prevent child abuse and protect children. The bill criminalizes owning or selling child sex dolls and makes it illegal to use artificial intelligence to generate child sexual abuse materials, including creating deep fake images that use real children’s likeness.

Groundbreaking Legislation

HB 207, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Dietz, R-Edgewood, is hailed as groundbreaking by Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky Executive Director, Jill Seyfred. She emphasizes the importance of the partnership between Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, the KY State Police, and the Attorney General’s Office in getting this bill passed. Seyfred believes that this legislation will save countless children from online victimization and emphasizes the significance of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ensuring the well-being and safety of children.

Definition and Implications

The bill defines a child sex doll as a “doll, mannequin or robot that is intended for sexual stimulation or gratification and that has the features of, or has features that resemble those of, a minor.” Making the possession of these dolls illegal in the Commonwealth allows law enforcement to use them as probable cause to search for additional evidence of child sexual abuse. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions by preventing child exploitation and abuse.

Law Enforcement’s Commitment

Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. emphasizes the commitment of the Kentucky State Police to protect and ensure the safety of Kentucky’s children. He states that preventing child predators from accessing and producing child sexual abuse materials is a top priority. By working together with Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, they aim to cut off another way for child predators to harm Kentucky’s children. This aligns with SDG 16 and its focus on promoting safe communities for all.

Closing Loopholes and Providing Tools

Jeremy Murrell, deputy commissioner for counter exploitation in the attorney general’s office and a board member of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, testified before the House Committee on the need for this legislation. He believes that this bill closes a current loophole in dealing with child sex dolls and provides prosecutors and law enforcement officers with new tools to address the emerging trend of child sexual abuse materials. This aligns with SDG 16 and its focus on combating all forms of violence and exploitation against children.

Protecting Kentucky’s Children

Attorney General Russell Coleman expresses gratitude to the members of the General Assembly who understand the reality of good and evil in the world. He believes that this legislation gives law enforcement the tools they need to protect Kentucky’s children from exploitation. By holding predators accountable for their actions, Kentucky sends a strong message that there is no place for them to hide. This aligns with SDG 16 and its focus on promoting justice and accountability.

Other Bills Signed to Protect Children

In addition to House Bill 207, Governor Beshear signed three other bills aimed at protecting children from abuse:

• Senate Bill 299: This bill strengthens reporting requirements when there is reason to believe a child has been abused, neglected, or is a victim of human trafficking. This aligns with SDG 16 and its focus on protecting children from all forms of abuse.
• House Bill 78: Sponsored by Rep. Kim Banta of Ft. Mitchell, this bill clarifies the legal definition of incest to ensure more people are protected from this crime. It provides law enforcement and the criminal justice system with the tools they need to protect vulnerable individuals from sexual abuse. This aligns with SDG 16 and its focus on preventing all forms of violence against children.
• Senate Bill 80: This bill prohibits registered sex offenders from coming within 1,000 feet of various locations where children are present, such as schools and playgrounds. By creating safe zones, this bill aims to protect children from potential harm. This aligns with SDG 16 and its focus on creating safe environments for children.

Overall, these bills demonstrate Kentucky’s commitment to protecting children and preventing child abuse. By addressing emerging trends and closing loopholes, Kentucky aims to create a safer environment for its most vulnerable population. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky/Office of the Governor

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Sustainable Development Goal: No Poverty

– Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
– Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims, and the poor and the vulnerable.

2. Sustainable Development Goal: Good Health and Well-being

– Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
– Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.

3. Sustainable Development Goal: Quality Education

– Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
– Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.

4. Sustainable Development Goal: Gender Equality

– Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
– Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.

5. Sustainable Development Goal: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

– Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
– Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: nkytribune.com

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