Kay Bailey Hutchison: “technology has opened many doors for communications and information sharing. Unfortunately, criminals have found new…”

“technology has opened many doors for communications and information sharing. Unfortunately, criminals have found new ways to use the innovations to hurt children. Today I am introducing with Senator DeWine the Child Protection and Sexual Predator Punishment Act of 1998. Our bill will give law enforcement the necessary tools to stop crimes against children, especially those initiated through the Internet and commercial on-line services. Along with the proliferation of users of on-line services, our nation has seen a rise in crimes committed against children by sexual predators on-line. Every day, pedophiles stalk children through the computer, transmitting pornography to them and enticing them to participate in illegal activity. In some of the most tragic instances, these criminals have convinced children to travel long distances to meet them, only to face horrendous abuse by their 'hosts.' In response to the growing number of these crimes. Congress has and will surely continue to appropriate funds to allow collaboration among FBI and state and local law enforcement to develop effective means to prevent innocent children from being exploited.”