As a father of two, I can only imagine the heartache and sorrow felt by families after it is discovered that one of their children has been victimized by a sexual predator. These types of crimes not only rob a child of their innocence, but it also has a dramatic impact on their families and loved ones. Unfortunately, as technology and criminal techniques continue to advance, this problem is becoming more widespread and affecting more people. In fact, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, nearly one in seven kids, between the ages of 10 and 17-years-old, will be solicited for sex over the Internet. Additionally, the Center estimates that one in five girls, and one in 10 boys, will be sexually victimized before they are adults.
Recognizing the severity of this situation and the need to act to halt these types of crimes, I co-sponsored Senate Bill 183, legislation that seeks to strengthen criminal sentencing laws in Ohio and hold individuals who solicit sex from children accountable. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight this bill and what it will do to hopefully reduce the number of these types of crimes.
Under SB 183, new penalties for soliciting a minor for sex will be established to provide a means for taking these criminals off of our neighborhood streets and hopefully serve as a deterrent. The severity of the penalty will be determined largely by the type of crime committed, as well as taking into consideration past offenses. Specifically, individuals convicted of luring children will face a presumption of jail time for their first offense, while a mandatory minimum penalty will be given for any offense thereafter. Those found guilty of victimizing children under the age of 13 could face up to 5-years in prison for the first offense, and up to eight years for any following convictions. Offenders that are 18 or older and four or more years older than the victim, or if the victim is 13, 14 or 15, first time offenses could carry up to a one year prison sentence, while individuals with previous convictions would face anywhere from one year to 18 months.
This legislation also states that if this is the first time a person has been arrested for importuning, or sexual solicitation, but they have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any other sexual offense in the past, then the offense for which they were arrested would count as a second offense, thus resulting in mandatory prison time upon conviction.
SB 183 is a prime example of strong bipartisan legislation, receiving unanimous votes in both the Ohio Senate and House. Additionally, the bill has the support of numerous law enforcement organizations and advocacy groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police, Buckeye State Sheriffs Association and Troopers for a Safer Ohio.
Whether it is via the Internet or by some other means, there is almost nothing that seems to deter these types of criminals. The provisions included in SB 183 will serve as an effective for law enforcement and our communities by helping to ensure that these criminals are taken off of our streets, resulting in a safer place to live, work and raise our families.
