Last year alone, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber Tipline received over 32 million reports of online “child pornography.” I want to be clear on what these reports are actually identifying: those 32 million reports are images and videos depicting criminal activity – the rape and sexual abuse of vulnerable children – circulating freely online.
I joined law enforcement from across our community at the Des Moines Boys and Girls Club today to announce new legislation preventing online sexual abuse materials. The Child Online Safety Modernization Act will protect children and ensure law enforcement has sufficient time to seek justice in response to abuse.
As a father with six young children, there’s nothing in the world I wouldn’t do to protect them. We have a responsibility to protect victims of sexual abuse, and this bill is a strong step in that direction.