The Senate Commerce Committee heard testimony Tuesday concerning online sexual predators. The findings may inform an Internet safety education bill.
Authorities said, in most cases, offenders wear no veil to conceal their age or intentions. Lauren Nelson, the reigning Miss America, told the senators about an experience she had when she was 13 years old. She and some friends visited an Internet chat room.
“We were approached by a man who was older than us," she testified, "and he asked us the question ‘ASL?’ which means 'age, sex, location?' And we gave him the information willingly, not knowing any better.”
David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center, said victims tend to be teens, not children, and usually run willingly into the arms of predators.
“Turns out only about 5 percent of the online sex crimes against children involve violence when meetings occur, and only 3 percent entail an abduction,” he testified. “Interestingly, deception is not a major factor either. Only 5 percent of the offenders truly concealed the fact that they were adults from their victims. Eighty percent, by contrast, were quite explicit about their sexual intentions toward the kids.”
According to Family News in Focus, after Internet predators are caught making contact with a teen, half of their victims claim they are in love with the abuser.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said teaching kids about Internet safety must begin early.
“I’m working with others on this committee to formulate legislation to provide school districts with grants specifically for Internet safety education.”
