NEWS RELEASE
September 13, 2023
Contact: Erinn Robinson
Director of Media Relations
House Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing to Examine the Threats of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Washington, D.C. (September 13, 2023) - RAINN released the following statement after a House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee for Crime and Federal Government Surveillance hearing to address the various threats of exploitation children in the U.S. face:
Today, the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee for Crime and Federal Government Surveillance held a hearing to address the issue of children being sexually exploited and abused online, child trafficking, the technology sector’s role in preventing and protecting children from being victimized online, and the obstacles law enforcement face when investigating cases of online child sexual abuse materials.
During the hearing, pieces of legislation that were discussed include the SHIELD Act, the EARN IT Act, the Child Online Safety and Modernization Act, the END Child Exploitation Act, and the Project Safe Childhood Act. These bills have provisions that would protect children from sexual exploitation, incentivize the technology sector to prevent, block, and remove child sexual abuse materials from their platforms, and provide resources to law enforcement to more effectively investigate cases of online child sexual exploitation. “Today’s House Judiciary Subcommittee for Crime and Federal Government Surveillance hearing opens the conversation on the reality of child sexual exploitation and abuse,” said Samantha Cadet, RAINN’s director of federal affairs, appropriations, and national coalitions. “We thank the subcommittee members for their leadership on this issue and look forward to their support for vital legislation that protects children from harm.”
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About RAINN
RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, help organizations improve their sexual assault prevention and response programs, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, free, confidential help is available 24/7 by calling 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visiting online.RAINN.org.