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A recent campaign by the California Democratic Party has sparked controversy, featuring a series of advertisements on social media accusing Republicans of opposing stronger laws aimed at protecting 16- and 17-year-old sex trafficking victims. This move comes in the wake of a legislative battle surrounding a bill concerning minor solicitation, where Democrats successfully advocated for the exclusion of harsher penalties related to older teens.
The advertisements emerged following a decisive vote in the California Assembly last week. During this session, Democratic leaders opted not to advance Assembly Bill 379, legislation that aimed to make it an automatic felony to purchase or solicit 16- and 17-year-olds for sexual acts.
In each advertisement, a state Republican lawmaker’s name and photo appear, along with claims that they voted against improving protections for older teens at risk of sex trafficking. The ads assert that these lawmakers prioritize party allegiance over the safety of children.
Assembly Bill 379 was introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Maggy Krell, intended as a measure to tackle buyers in the child sex trafficking market. The bill sought to align the penalties for soliciting minors with those faced by traffickers. However, the ad campaign followed the decision by the Democrat-controlled Assembly Public Safety Committee, which advanced the bill while stripping the felony provision that would have applied to those soliciting older teens for sex.
After the vote, Krell expressed her frustration with this amendment, stating that it was forced upon her to facilitate the legislation’s progression. She remarked on the importance of protecting all minors from sex trafficking’s horrors, emphasizing her commitment to collaborating with survivors and law enforcement.
On Thursday, Democrats proceeded to remove the bill from Krell’s authorship, a notable change given her background as a former prosecutor who investigated human trafficking. They replaced it with language indicating the Legislature’s intent to adopt the strongest laws possible for protecting minors and strengthening support for survivors of human trafficking.
The California Republican Party responded sharply, characterizing the Democrats’ actions as desperate attempts to conceal their alignment with sex offenders over children’s protection. They remarked on the perception of the Democratic Party’s tactics as increasingly dishonest and politically motivated.
Several Republican lawmakers promptly countered the accusations implied in the ads, which suggested that their party does not prioritize child protection. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher highlighted a recent incident in which he confronted Democrats in the Assembly for their removal of protections for older victims, calling their ads deceptive.
Assemblyman Josh Hoover, another target of the advertising campaign, accused Democrats of attempting to mislead the public regarding their legislative record. He expressed intent to fight for the restoration of protections lost in the latest iterations of the bill and to ensure all minors are treated equally under the law.
Reports indicate that the ad campaign is backed by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’s campaign. Queries have been directed at the California Democratic Party and Rivas’s team for further comment.
Assembly Bill 379 was drafted in response to a gap in current law. A state law passed earlier this year made it a felony to purchase a child aged 15 or younger for sexual exploitation, but it did not extend these protections to include older teenagers. In the preceding year, a bill authored by Senator Shannon Groven sought to criminalize the purchase of minors for sex but similarly excluded those aged 16 and 17.
As it stands, the law imposes the harshest penalties on traffickers rather than on buyers of underage individuals. In light of this, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently voiced his support for stiffer penalties against those who solicit minors for sexual acts.
In the political fallout, Assemblyman Joe Patterson remarked that Newsom appears to have lost control over his party. He accused the California Democratic Party of treating the governor as if he were a lame duck. Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez echoed these sentiments, asserting that Democratic lawmakers have failed to address several critical issues including public safety and homelessness.
The National Republican Congressional Committee weighed in, critiquing California Democrats for allegedly favoring predators over the welfare of children. Spokesperson Christian Martinez called out local Democratic lawmakers, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability regarding their legislative record.
Amidst ongoing discussions, Krell has asserted her commitment to advocating for any proposal that aims to safeguard the rights of 16- and 17-year-olds, irrespective of its authorship.
Looking Ahead
The tension surrounding this legislative issue illuminates broader concerns about child protection and sex trafficking laws in California. As political advertisements continue to play a significant role in shaping public opinion and legislative priorities, the debate over how best to protect vulnerable young individuals is far from over.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle will need to address these underlying issues with sincerity, ensuring that their legislative efforts genuinely reflect a commitment to safeguarding minors from exploitation.
