Politics & Government

McAsey-Backed Laws Targeting Sexual Abuse Take Effect with New Year

"These sexual deviants rip families apart and create life-altering situations for their victims," says state Rep. Emily McAsey.

The following news release comes from the Office of State Representative Emily McAsey:

Two laws sponsored by state Rep. Emily McAsey aimed at protecting
children from sexual predators will take effect on January 1.
 
“I have no sympathy for anyone who perpetrates crimes on children, and these laws will help law enforcement put dangerous sexual predators and those who enable those crimes behind bars where they belong,” McAsey said.

House Bill 804 changes the definition of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child to be more inclusive of male victims. Under McAsey’s new law, a criminal could be charged with predatory sexual assault of a child if they commit sexual acts that are not defined as sexual penetration. A criminal defendant could be charged with a Class X felony for a violation of the statute, and may be sentenced to a term of up to 60 years in prison upon conviction.

The law also creates the criminal offense of failure to report the sexual abuse of a child. Under this new measure, a person over the age of 18 who witnesses an act of sexual abuse and fails to report it could be charged with Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense of failure to notify law enforcement of the sexual abuse of a child could result with the witness being 
charged with a Class 4 felony.

McAsey also sponsored a new law changing how individuals are sentenced under the child pornography statue. Under House Bill 2647, individuals may now face additional convictions and jail time for each item of child pornography in their possession.

“Prosecutors will be able to use these new laws to put sexual predators in prison and provide safer communities for our children,” McAsey said. “These sexual deviants rip families apart and create life-altering situations for their victims. I am committed to making sure our laws keep them off the streets and away from their victims and those they hope to victimize in the future.”

For more information, please contact McAsey's full-time constituent service office at (815) 372-0085.


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