Erik Paulsen: “I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for his leadership as well as the author, Mrs. Brooks, for…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for his leadership as well as the author, Mrs. Brooks, for her leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act. In the wake of the horrendous revelations of sexual abuse brought to the forefront by the recent USA Gymnastics case, it is clear that measures do need to be put in place to protect young athletes and keep them safe. No child should ever be put in the position of having their innocence robbed from them, which is why we need to have the highest protections of the law from those looking to exploit them and take advantage of their vulnerability. I would encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill which will require amateur athletic-governing bodies to immediately report sex abuse allegations to local or Federal law enforcement and also to make it safe and easy for victims to report that abuse. As the Olympics approach, there is no doubt, we will all be reminded, unfortunately, of the recent sexual abuse case that took place with the gymnastics team.…”