"As Florida's Attorney General my number one priority is protecting our children from individuals who prey on their innocence," said McCollum. "This legislation sends a clear message to online predators who abuse our children. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in Florida."
Today over 77 million American children regularly use the Internet, and sadly statistics on child pornography are alarming. According to the Federal Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Florida ranks third in the nation in volume of child pornography. Nationally, one in seven children between the ages of ten and 17 have been solicited online by a sexual predator.
Sponsored by Representative David Rivera and Senator Nancy Argenziano, the "Cybercrimes Against Children Act of 2007" (HB 573, SB 1004) strengthens penalties for the possession or distribution of child pornography using the Internet. Additionally, the bill creates a new, separate penalty against sexual predators who connect with a child online and then travel to meet that child for the specific purpose of further abusing him or her. The terms will increase from five years in prison to 15.
"Passage of this legislation will demonstrate that Florida has zero-tolerance for online child predators," said Rivera. "These repulsive crimes against our children are committed by sick individuals and must be stopped."
Argenziano added that the main purpose of this legislation is to protect Florida's children.
"Every time we prevent one of these heinous crimes from occurring, we protect the innocence of a child," Argenziano said. "The children of Florida are our most precious asset. We must do everything we can to protect them from evil."
The legislation will also increase penalties when an offender misrepresents his age in order to seduce a child over the Internet. This is a behavior where the sex offender attempts to demonstrate that he is closer in age to the child in order for the child to feel more comfortable. This technique is also known as "grooming."
The next stop in the legislative process for House Bill 573 is the House Safety and Security Council, while Senate Bill 1004 is now in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
