In a recent public statement, California State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) expressed her disapproval of her own Democratic party's stance on legislation aimed at combating child sex trafficking.
The legislation in question, Senate Bill 1414 (SB 1414), was debated in the California Senate on May 23.
Introduced by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), SB 1414 seeks to elevate the solicitation of sex from a minor from a misdemeanor to a felony. The bill's proponents argue that this change will help address the issue of child sex trafficking by imposing more severe penalties on those who exploit minors for sex.
Under current law, solicitation of a minor for sex is a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of one year in county jail and a fine of up to $10,000. SB 1414 proposes to increase the severity of this crime to a felony, with penalties including a prison sentence of 2 to 4 years and a fine of up to $25,000. The bill also mandates sex offender registration for those convicted of this offense.
However, amendments proposed by the Senate Public Safety Committee have sparked controversy. The committee suggested reducing the severity of penalties for offenders soliciting older minors (16- and 17-year-olds), a move that has been met with strong disapproval from advocates of the bill who believe it undermines efforts to protect all minors from exploitation.
Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) commented on the complexity of the issue, stating, "Selling sex has been within human cultures for millennia. It is a very difficult area of law to get into."
During the hearing, Senator Eggman, a Democrat, delivered a powerful critique of her own party's stance. "Id like to say, as a progressive, proud member of this body for the last 12 years, Im done. Im done with us protecting people who would buy and abuse our children," she said. "I dont want more people in prison, but I dont want people buying girls. I dont want people buying little girls anymore.
Eggman, who is also a mental health professional and social worker, spoke about her experiences working with individuals deeply wounded by abuse. "I can tell you, Ive spent my entire career working with people who have been wounded by the abuse thats been heaped on them, oftentimes by those that they love and look to protect them," she said. "If their parents wont do it, then by God, we should.
She continued her impassioned speech by affirming the need for a moral stand against child exploitation. "Again, I am not arguing that we open the gates to flood our prisons with people, but I am arguing that we have a moral responsibility to say, enough, enough. We have given away enough on this area, and weve got to move back into the center, or we all look like fools and laughing stocks, and what do we stand for?
Eggman concluded her speech by urging her colleagues to prioritize child protection and reject the status quo. "But the rest of you who are going to be here for a while, lets get our stuff together and really start focusing on some of the important things. We talk about learning, and we talk about being safe. This is like at the core of it. And a lot of these kids can be throwaway kids, she said.
Theyre poor kids, theyre kids of color, but they shouldnt have to live a life determined by what happens to them by others at a very young age and by having the Democratic Party of California say, its okay. Its not okay. And Im not doing it anymore. And I hope none of you do, too. We have to be able to draw a line. And for me, Im drawing a line. I urge your aye vote.
Several prominent far-left 'social justice' organizations have positioned themselves against the bill, arguing that it might disproportionately impact marginalized communities and lead to increased prison populations. These groups, often advocating for broad criminal justice reform and reduced incarceration, include:
In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Senate Bill 145 into law, which addresses the states sex offender registry laws, specifically regarding young LGBTQ+ individuals. Authored by State Senator Scott Wiener, the bill aims to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth by allowing judges to have the same discretion in cases of oral and anal sex as they do with vaginal intercourse involving minors aged 14 to 17 and adults within a 10-year age range. Critics argue that this law protects sex offenders who have sex with minors of the same sex.
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