So I went online and sent a thing to my state senators (of Illinois that is, since I'm technically still a resident, so that's OBAMA! and Dick Durbin) because I was watching Oprah the other day (duh!) about online sexual predators. Whoah. I was crying because I was just in disbelief of what happens... people actually stream live video of rape and molestation, and people seek this out to watch it, people make how-to guides on rape--both in print and video--from infants to teens. Just really sick stuff.
So anyway, there is an act that needs to be passed in order to provide more funding to bust these guys--because basically right now they have the technology to find them, but there's so many of them and not enough law enforcement to do much about it.
So, I copied the form letter to my senators and even checked the box that says "no response needed," and I got a response from Obama! Now, now I realize it's a standard response that went out to everyone writing about this act, but I still appreciated the response! And I liked what it had to say-- cosponsored this act, and guess who introduced it? Biden! YAY! So anyway, here's what it said:
Dear Chelsey:
Thank you for contacting me in support of S. 1738, the Combating Child Exploitation Act of 2008. I appreciate hearing from you and glad we agree on the need for this legislation. As a lawmaker, and as a father of two young girls, I assure you that protecting our nation's children from abuse and exploitation is a top priority.
Like you, I am concerned about the threat of sexual predators online and the easy access to profanity, violence, and vulgarity on the Internet. These threats are all too real and pervasive in our society, but we are far from powerless to fight them. By supporting and enhancing local and national law enforcement efforts, we can put an end to the scourge of child exploitation.
That is why I am proud that I cosponsored S. 1738. This legislation requires the Attorney General to appoint a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of Deputy Attorney General to coordinate Department of Justice policies and strategies for the prevention and investigation of child exploitation cases. The bill also establishes an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC Task Force), consisting of state and local task forces to address online enticement of children, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases, and requires the Attorney General to establish a National Internet Crimes Against Children Data Network Center to assist the ICAC Task Force program and federal, state, local, and tribal agencies investigating and prosecuting child exploitation.
As you know, S. 1738 was introduced by Senator Biden (D-DE) on June 28, 2007, and reported out of the Judiciary Committee on July 7, 2008. A companion measure was passed in the House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority of 415 to 2 late last year. I will support every effort to get this important legislation signed into law.
Please be assured that I will continue to work to find solutions that will make our children safer and strengthen America's most vulnerable families. I hope you will stay in touch during this process.
Again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator
