Senate Passes Sweeping Legislation to Combat Child Sexual Abuse

After decades of sexually abusing minors, Larry Nassar was officially sentenced to prison in 2017 for all that he had done. He started his career in the late 1970s as an Athletic Trainer and was later appointed as the National Medical Coordinator for the USA Gymnastics team. Larry Nassar held that position since 1996—and it’s reported that his abuse even began a couple years before that.

Working with household names like Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, he had made quite the name for himself and was very well-respected. However, that all came to an end once the sexual abuse allegations started to come out. Larry now has federal child pornography charges as well as seven counts of criminal sexual conduct at the state level. This ultimately put him behind bars for the rest of his life as he’s technically been sentenced to a 60-year sentence in federal prison as well as 40 to 175 years in state prison.

Justice is not always served—so Congress acted

While justice was served in the case of Larry Nassar and the athletes he abused, this is unfortunately not always the case. Even though Larry Nassar crossed state and international lines in order to commit his crimes, he was never able to be charged for sexual abuse of minors at the federal level due to loopholes in our justice system. If he was able to escape a charge like this, then others definitely can as well. Fortunately, people took action and a new bill titled S.724 “Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023” was unanimously passed by the Senate on March 8^th with a companion bill in the House.

What’s in the new bill?

At the very beginning of the Act, it goes into the details of why passing this is so important. Most notably, they list a horrifying statistic from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network which says that every 68 seconds, a person in the United States is sexually assaulted. Every nine minutes, that person is a child. Even worse, only 25 out of every 1,000 offenders will go to prison over their crime. Clearly there is so much room for improvement as we figure out how to not only stop these crimes, but hold those who commit them accountable.

The bill specifically points to the loopholes found in the Larry Nassar case as a reason for its development. In addition, they noted a trend in those who go to foreign countries under the pretense of doing charity or missionary work, and this bill will work to help sentence those who participate or encourage it. If passed, Congress will also accept rephrasing the degree of intent to engage in sexual misconduct with a minor so there is less ambiguity. Overall, this bill will offer more explicit guidance to ensure that individuals who commit offenses against minors are held accountable under the law to the maximum degree.

Childhood sexual abuse can have serious long-lasting effects

If Congress passes the Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Act of 2023, it would be a significant step towards protecting our nation’s most vulnerable children, including those abused by coaches. It could even help reduce the long-lasting effects child abuse has on its victims, which can lead to a range of physical and psychological problems that can impact their lives for years to come. Some of the most common long-term effects include:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Victims of childhood sexual abuse often experience PTSD, which can manifest itself in a variety of ways, like causing flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. These symptoms can be so intense that they interfere with the victim’s daily life, making it difficult for them to function at work, school, or in social situations.
• Depression and anxiety: Childhood sexual abuse can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, which can make it difficult for victims to enjoy their lives and engage in healthy relationships. The condition can be so severe that it can cause them to feel like they are reliving the trauma over and over again, even years after the abuse has ended—and it can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
• Substance abuse and addiction: Many victims of childhood sexual abuse turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with the trauma, which can lead to addiction and other substance abuse problems.
• Sexual dysfunction: Sexual dysfunction is a common long-lasting effect of childhood sexual abuse, often leading to a multitude of issues surrounding intimacy and relationships. Survivors may experience difficulty in forming and maintaining healthy relationships, including romantic partnerships and friendships. This can be due to a lack of trust, fear of vulnerability, and anxiety related to physical touch and intimacy.
• Difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships: Very similar to above, a victim’s history of sexual abuse can make it challenging for them to form and maintain healthy relationships, due to trust issues. Having healthy friendships and relationships are crucial for one’s overall wellbeing and happiness. After all, human beings are social creatures. We rely on social connections to thrive and we’d lack emotional support, our sense of belonging, and potentially a sense of purpose without them.
• Low self-esteem: The trauma of such abuse can take a toll on a victim’s self-worth and confidence, leaving them with a sense of shame and self-doubt. They may also struggle with feelings of guilt, believing that the abuse was somehow their fault.

Passing the Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Act of 2023 would have great benefits

The act would also provide a clearer legal framework and direction on how to prosecute perpetrators of sexual assault crimes against minors in Los Angeles, ensuring that justice is served for victims and their families. The passage of this bill would also send a strong message to potential offenders that the United States takes the issue of child sexual abuse seriously and will not tolerate such heinous crimes. This would act as a powerful deterrent against such abuse, potentially saving countless children from the extensive trauma and long-term effects it comes along with. Additionally, the act’s focus on prevention and education would empower communities to recognize and report instances of child sexual abuse, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice before more harm can be done.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a childhood sexual abuse or assault, the attorneys at Taylor & Ring want to help. We understand how devastating something like sexual assault can be on a minor, and we will work hard to hold the perpetrator accountable for their actions. To speak with an experienced Los Angeles sexual abuse lawyer, fill out our contact form or call our office.