February 25, 2008

Rath Fights Against the Exploitation of Children on the Internet

Sponsors resolution supporting tougher laws against offenders

(Amherst, New York) - Erie County Legislator, 15th District, Edward A. Rath, III, sponsored a resolution calling on the New York State Legislature and the Governor to make it more difficult for child predators to reach children on the Internet and to impose harsher sentences against those that do. The resolution was unanimously approved by the legislature at its session on February 21, 2008. Currently, there are bills in the New York State Senate to fight the exploitation of children via the Internet. "One in four girls and at least one in ten boys are sexually abused in some way by the age of 18. Forty percent of people found with child pornography on a computer also directly victimized children. Child pornography on the Internet is a disgrace and is growing at an alarming rate. The New York State Legislature needs to act quickly on these bills," stated Legislator Rath.

When acted upon by the New York State Legislature and Governor, certain convicted sex offenders will be prohibited from using the Internet to access pornographic material, access commercial social networking websites and communicate with individuals under the age of eighteen for the purpose of promoting sexual relations. Additional enforcement measure will also be imposed. Legislator Rath commented, "We cannot wait to pass this legislation. The safety of our children is at stake."

Legislator Rath thanked his colleagues at the Erie County Legislature for passing this resolution unanimously. "This is not a political issue. This is about protecting future generations. I congratulate my colleagues for recognizing this and sending a strong message to Albany that we support these laws and want these changes as soon as possible."

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