Senate Passes Legislation to Go After Child Sex-Abusers

Griffo-Sponsored Harsher Penalty Bill for Child Sex-Abusers Passes Senate

 (Albany) – State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-C-IP, Rome) reported that the New York State Senate today passed legislation to strengthen the penalties for those adults who are convicted of the sexual abuse of a child.

Senate bill 1882 amends current criminal provisions to allow for a person to be found guilty of sexual abuse in the 1st degree when the abuser is at least twenty-one years old and the victim is less than thirteen years old.

“The sexual exploitation and abuse of children doesn’t recognize borders, and continues to cross state lines and cover all jurisdictions, but if you examine the criminal consequences for some abusers and rapists, it doesn’t fit the crime,” said Senator Griffo. “We’re pushing for New York to join just a handful of states that recognize that an adult subjecting a child to sexual contact should be considered a violent act and not just a minor felony offense.”

Griffo added that while the Senate didn’t vote on this bill last year, he was pushing for a more positive outcome this time. “For the Assembly to have passed this bill last year, without it being taken up for a vote by the Senate, to me, was inexcusable,” Griffo continued. “I’m confident that both houses will be pass the bill this year and we’ll be able distinguish that sexual abuse of children isn’t a crime on the same level as shoplifting.”

S.1882 will now be sent to the Assembly for their consideration. Assemblymember RoAnn Destito is the sponsor of the companion legislation

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