It is Time to Protect Our Children for Real - Combatting the Child Exploitation Act of 2008

In 2008, I wrote an article titled Combatting Child Exploitation Act of 2008 . In that article, I told about the use of new technology that enables law enforcement agencies to pinpoint the location of abusers who use the Internet to post pictures or stream live videos of child abuse. This is a huge step forward in providing for the safety of this nation's children.

As 2009 begins, Florida authorities have uncovered a huge child pornography operation in Flagler County. According to information provided by PROTECT a couple used their photography studio as a front for the pornography operation and authorities say it is likely that hundreds of young children have already been claimed as victims and it is likely that many more would have been sexually abused by this couple. Authorities are currently asking for any parents who took their children to the photography studio for pictures to please contact the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

The abusive couple, Alton E. Smith, Jr. and Tina Marie Smith created sexual abuse movies and it is thought that they also streamed live video over the Internet. Tina Marie Smith has been arrested but Alton Smith, Jr. has fled the area and police are currently searching for him.

This is just one incidence that shows the importance of having the technology and the increase in law enforcement officials to follow-up on the leads created by this new technology.

Hundreds of thousands of sexually abusive criminals are leading what appears to be a normal life, hiding within neighborhoods and communities while conducting pornographic businesses involving the abuse of innocent children. With this new technology, investigators are now able to follow leads back through the Internet right to the front door of these abusive criminals. This makes it possible for law enforcement agencies to find and stop child sexual abuse in its tracks on a large scale.

The sad side of this story, however, is that only 2% of these known abusive suspects are currently being investigated and that is due only to a lack of funds. Money is standing in the way of protecting our children from pedophiles, sexual perverts and internet pornographic traffickers. Until the Protect Our Children Act of 2008 is fully funded, children remain vulnerable and in harm's way. Full funding for this bill will cost every American $3.00 over the 2009-2013 time period. This bill was passed by the Senate on September 25, 2008 and passed by the House on September 27, 2008. It was signed by the President and became a law on October 13, 2008.

If our tax dollars can be spent so freely to bail out automobile manufacturers and failing insurance companies and financial institutions, can't we at least spend some of that money on funding the much needed law enforcement agencies with all the tools and personnel that they need in order to bail out our children?

If you want to learn more about how to better protect our children, please visit these sites and contact your Senators and Representatives as well.

Sources:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1738

http://www.protect.org/Campaign/National/National-Child-Rescue-Campaign.html