U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has introduced a new piece of legislation aimed at improving the identification and rescue of children subjected to online sexual abuse, Molly Ingram of Public Radio affiliate WSHU reported.
The proposed bill, called the Renewed Hope Act, would enable the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit to expand its team by hiring at least 200 additional experts, including computer forensic specialists and criminal analysts. These professionals would focus on identifying victims depicted in images shared online.
The bipartisan bill has been introduced in both the House and Senate. Blumenthal expressed optimism that it will pass before the legislative session ends in January, emphasizing the importance of timely action.
“There’s a critical need to identify, rescue, and protect these victims and survivors,” Blumenthal stated. “Images of abuse remain online forever, haunting these children throughout their lives. They are only of interest to profiteers exploiting them and those with twisted motives.”
The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Representatives Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), alongside U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). It has gained support from prominent organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Tim Tebow Foundation, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Child Rescue Coalition, among others.
Nicole Taylor, chief administrator of children’s behavioral health at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, noted that many victims of exploitation live with their parents. She also shared that the Connecticut DCF handles around 300 cases annually related to the commercial sexual exploitation of children, with many cases originating online.
For anyone needing to report a concern, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tip-line can be reached at report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
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