09.11.24

At Policy Roundtable Event, Durbin Shares Updates On Anti-Trafficking And Exploitation Legislation

Durbin calls for his passage of his STOP CSAM Act, DEFIANCE Act, and Child Marriage Prevention Act before Anti-Trafficking in Persons policy roundtable

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke before an Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) Policy Roundtable event, a biannual gathering sponsored by Street Grace that brings together leaders from influential anti-trafficking organizations, law firms, survivor advocates, and key Congressional representatives who have demonstrated their commitment to this cause and advancing anti-trafficking policy.

Durbin provided updates on his efforts to combat child exploitation and human trafficking, including the STOP CSAM Act, the DEFIANCE Act, and the Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2024.

Key Quotes:

“The risks facing women and children online—grooming, recruitment into human trafficking, sextortion, CSAM, AI-generated pornography, and non-consensual intimate imagery—are staggering. The intersection of child abuse, sex abuse, and technology has created a public health crisis that overwhelmingly impacts our most vulnerable.”

“Thanks to the hard work of many of you in this room, last year the Senate Judiciary Committee, which I chair, unanimously reported five bills addressing online child sexual exploitation to the Senate floor. That includes my STOP CSAM Act, which would finally subject online platforms to civil liability for intentionally or knowingly hosting or storing child sexual abuse material or making it available. I appreciate the endorsements from many of your organizations.”

“Earlier this summer, another of my bills—the DEFIANCE Act, which will give victims of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit deepfakes their day in court—unanimously passed the Senate. These steps are proof that the days of Big Tech policing itself will soon come to an end.”

“No matter our political differences, we all can agree that the escalation in online harms to our children is horrendous, and something must be done.”

“I will continue to push until the DEFIANCE ACT and the STOP CSAM Act are the law of the land, and I will work with my colleagues on any other measure that will make the internet safer for all of us, especially our most vulnerable.”

“Child marriage overwhelmingly affects underage girls who are married to adult men, often with dire consequences. Because of the tireless work of advocates and survivor leaders like yourselves, 13 states have set the minimum age for marriage at 18 years, without exception. But, unless all states take action, the patchwork of state laws will continue to put all children, particularly girls, at risk.”

“Federal leadership is necessary to end child marriage altogether in this country. That’s why I introduced the Child Marriage Prevention Act last month, which takes significant steps to reduce child marriage across all 50 states.”

Durbin and the Senate Judiciary Committee have helped lead the charge in Congress to curb the sexual exploitation of children. Among others, Durbin has introduced the:

  • STOP CSAM Act, which supports victims and increases accountability and transparency for online platforms and is awaiting a vote on the Senate floor;
  • DEFIANCE Act, will hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos and passed the Senate; and
  • Child Marriage Prevention Act, which would take steps to reduce child marriage across the United States.

Street Grace, the event sponsor and an organization focused on stopping the exploitation of children, has endorsed the STOP CSAM Act and the DEFIANCE Act.

Visit this webpage for an overview of the Committee’s efforts to protect children online, including descriptions of the pending legislation and a timeline of events.

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