Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) is introducing two bipartisan bills to crack down on human trafficking and sexual exploitation, especially of children and bans child sex dolls.
The first, cosponsored by Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), is the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act, which implements training for school staff and teachers and raises awareness among students for signs that a child is a victim of trafficking in the form of an initial $75 million grant over five years to nonprofit organizations, especially in areas where trafficking is prevalent, that have shown expertise in creating and teaching human trafficking and exploitation prevention curricula.
In his press release, Rep. Buchanan condemned human trafficking as "a form of modern-day slavery."
"With Florida's Suncoast Region receiving more trafficking reports than any other region in our state, we need to prioritize educating students and teachers about the horrors of this monstrous crime. This is critical to help current victims and prevent future instances of trafficking," Rep. Buchanan added.
Rep. Wasserman Schultz echoed the Florida Congressman's remarks, saying, "Schools should be at the center of our strategy to protect young people from human trafficking. In addition to identifying and providing critical services to at-risk youth, they play a crucial role in educating all of us, children and adults, on key warning signs so we are equipped to prevent abductions and abuse."
After all, she continued, "Our education system is one of our greatest strengths, and we must take advantage by providing our schools with the resources to support children who might otherwise fall victim to trafficking."
Buchanan's second bill, cosponsored by Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), is the Curbing Realistic Exploitative Electronic Pedophilic Robots (CREEPER) Act 2.0, which bans the sale of realistic sex dolls resembling minors.
Yes, those apparently exist. Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Utah, and Hawaii have banned such items, while other states are considering their own legislation.
The Florida Congressman said exactly what you were thinking about it in his statement, "It's absolutely outrageous that we allow the sale and possession on these obscene products that are known to encourage pedophilia and the exploitation of children."
"We need to enact a national ban on these sickening dolls to prevent further child abuse," Buchanan added.
Rep. Moskowitz said, "As one of just a handful of states to ban child sex dolls, Florida's been a national leader to get these sickening products off the market. I'm proud to stand beside sheriffs, district attorneys, and child safety advocates from across our state to push this commonsense, bipartisan bill with Congressman Buchanan that'll advance our urgent efforts to fight child exploitation."
