On Monday, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee of the Maine Legislature heard testimony on L.D. 1728, “An Act to Increase the Penalty for Visual Sexual Aggression Against a Child.”
Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Maine testified on the bill in support. You can read our testimony here. The Work Session on the bill is scheduled for Monday, February 5, at 11:00 a.m., in the State House, Room 436.
As the law is now written, men displaying their genitals to 12-year-olds commit a “Class C” crime but if done to a 14-year-old, it is a “Class D” crime. This bill would amend the law to make both of these “Class C” crimes. CWA of Maine believes there should be no distinction because of age, but that any man who would do that to a child should be penalized at least for a “Class C” crime.
There have been a few recommended amendments to the bill that the sponsor, Sen. Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc), made, including changing all first offenses to “Class D” crimes no matter the age and repeat offenders as “Class C”. CWA of Maine believes that would be a mistake. We should send a message that this deviant behavior towards children must not be tolerated. Our kids deserve our protection, especially in light of all the sexual abuse cases in the news right now.
You may read L.D. 1728 here and keep updated on the bill here.
Take Action:
- Please contact the members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and ask them to support L.D. 1728.
- Be sure to let them know you are a member of Concerned Women for America of
- Pass this information on to your family, friends, and neighbors.
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee members:
Kimberley Rosen of Hancock- Chair, R – Senate District 8
Kimberley.Rosen@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Scott Cyrway of Kennebec, R – Senate District 16
Scott.Cyrway@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Bill Diamond of Cumberland, D – Senate District 26
William.Diamond@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Charlotte Warren of Hallowell- Chair, D – House District 84
Charlotte.Warren@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Patrick Corey of Windham, R – House District 25
Patrick.Corey@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Karen Gerrish of Lebanon, R – House District 20
Karen.Gerrish@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Martin Grohman of Biddeford, I – House District 12
Martin.Grohman@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Lloyd Herrick of Paris, R – House District 73
Skip.Herrick@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Thomas Longstaff of Waterville, D – House District 109
Thomas.Longstaff@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Donald Marean of Hollis, R – House District 16
Don.Marean@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Catherine Nadeau of Winslow, D – House District 78
Catherine.Nadeau@legislature.maine.gov
Rep. Lois Reckitt of South Portland, D – House District 31
Lois.Reckitt@Legislature.Maine.gov
Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland, D – House District 40
Rachel.talbotross@Legislature.Maine.gov
You can also send a message to the Committee Clerk, Nikolette Alexander, via e-mail Nikolette.Alexander@Legislature.Maine.gov or give her office a call at 287-1122. Ask to have your message distributed amongst the committee members.
Pray with me: Dear Father, may we be Your ambassadors for our Maine children and seek Your protection, as well as lawful protection, for them, from sexual predators. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
“If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” – Matthew 18:6
Penny Morrell
State Director
CWA of Maine
director@maine.cwfa.org