08.12.24

Durbin Joins Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center To Urge Online Safety Measures For Children

SPRINGFIELD – Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center (SCCAC) to discuss the importance of keeping kids safe online through bills like Durbin’s STOP CSAM Act and last month’s Senate passage of the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act.

The SCCAC coordinates services for victims of child sexual abuse in Logan, Sangamon, Christian, and Menard counties. It follows the national Children’s Advocacy Center model of a multidisciplinary team approach, which brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, child protective services, and medical and mental health workers in a coordinated effort to respond to child abuse.

“Child Advocacy Centers are where children come to receive care and support after experiencing or witnessing violence or abuse,” said Durbin. “Unfortunately, more children than ever before are experiencing violence and abuse because of the internet, and Big Tech must be held accountable. The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act is a positive step toward changing the future of kids’ online safety, but this cannot be the end of the story. I will continue to advocate for a vote on my STOP CSAM Act to keep our children and grandchildren safe online.”

Durbin has introduced the STOP CSAM Act, which supports victims and increases accountability and transparency for online platforms. Among other things, the STOP CSAM Act creates a civil remedy against online providers and app stores that intentionally or knowingly host or store child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or make it available or that intentionally or knowingly promote or aid and abet a violation of federal online child sexual exploitation laws. 

In June, Durbin and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, a bipartisan legislative fix that will divert surplus funds collected through the False Claims Act to the Crime Victims Fund, which supports state victim compensation and assistance programs, including child advocacy centers.

This Congress, the Senate Judiciary Committee, under Durbin’s leadership, has unanimously reported five bills to the full Senate to help protect kids online. Visit this webpage for an overview of the Committee’s efforts to protect kids online, including descriptions of the pending legislation, hearings, and a timeline of events.

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