Teens Targeted: Legislation to combat sexual exploitation, sextortion passes U.S. House, Senate
Teens Targeted: Legislation to combat sexual exploitation, sextortion passes U.S. House, Senate WLBT
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Bill to Protect Children from Online Sexual Exploitation Passes U.S. House of Representatives
The bipartisan REPORT Act bill, aimed at protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting the president’s signature to become law.
Background
- The bill was co-authored by U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Georgia Democrat.
- It passed in the U.S. Senate in December.
Significance of the Bill
The passage of this bill marks a major step forward in protecting children from online predators. It is the first major tech-related legislation in a long time aimed at safeguarding children.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- The bill strengthens the national tipline run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, allowing for better collection of reports of online exploitation.
- It requires websites and social media platforms to report crimes involving federal trafficking and enticement of children to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
- The legislation increases fines for companies that knowingly and willfully fail to report child sex abuse material on their websites.
Impact of Online Sexual Exploitation
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, there has been a significant increase in online enticement and sextortion cases targeting children. The number of reports has more than doubled since 2022 and increased five-fold since 2021.
Support and Acknowledgment
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff expressed his gratitude to InvestigateTV for shedding light on these important issues and motivating lawmakers to take action. He acknowledged the grief and loss experienced by parents like Brian Montgomery, whose son fell victim to a sextortion scheme, and emphasized the importance of preventing more children from becoming victims.
Conclusion
The passage of the REPORT Act bill is a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to protect children from online sexual exploitation. It demonstrates bipartisan support and provides law enforcement with additional tools to combat this heinous crime.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed:
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:
- Number of reports received by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s tipline
- Number of reports of online enticement and sextortion
- Number of fines imposed on companies for failing to report child sex abuse material
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Number of reports received by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s tipline – Number of fines imposed on companies for failing to report child sex abuse material |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres | – Number of reports of online enticement and sextortion |
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Fuente: wlbt.com
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