WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statements after their Project Safe Childhood Act, which would make improvements to the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation, passed the Senate:

“No child should be exposed to vicious threats from online predators,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill would make key strategic improvements to give law enforcement officers and federal prosecutors the tools to go after online child predators and ensure more children are shielded from this horrific crime.”

“We must do everything we can to protect our children from online exploitation and abuse,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “By modernizing the Project Safe Childhood program, our bipartisan legislation will ensure that law enforcement has the tools and resources it needs to rescue victims and prosecute those who commit these terrible crimes.”

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) cosponsored this legislation.

Background:

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The Project Safe Childhood Act would modernize the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation crimes and would make improvements to how federal prosecutors and law enforcement work together and use new technology to go after predators. This bill would require federal prosecutors and the DOJ to coordinate with law enforcement and experts to develop training materials and strategies to identify and rescue child victims while quickly arresting offenders.

The legislation is endorsed by the National District Attorneys Association, National Association of Police Organizations, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Fraternal Order of Police, Rights 4 Girls, National Children’s Alliance, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.