Pappas, Buchanan Introduce the Stop Crimes Against Children Act

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16) introduced the Stop Crimes Against Children Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen efforts to identify, prevent, and respond to crimes against children. 

The legislation would amend the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, a Department of Justice (DOJ) effort to put in place best practices in the prevention and interdiction of heinous and destructive acts of child exploitation. Specifically, the legislation would include a broader array of stakeholders and partners in the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, including the nonprofit sector and institutions of higher education, and direct the strategy to include information on victim support. This will ensure that communities can leverage the full spectrum of expertise and resources alongside government and law enforcement agencies to keep children safe.

“The fight against child exploitation and abuse requires an all hands-on-deck-effort, and that means bringing together stakeholders from a broad array of areas of expertise to put in place strategies that keep our kids safe,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation ensures that leaders from the nonprofit sector and institutions of higher education, who are doing vital work to protect children from abuse, will be part of our national strategy alongside law enforcement and government agencies to identify, prevent, and respond to crimes against children. I remain committed to doing all I can to stop crimes against children, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide every resource available to keep children safe in New Hampshire and across the country.”

“Technological advancements have tragically brought an increase in the potential for child abuse and exploitation, which is exactly what is happening to our nation’s children at alarming rates,” said Congressman Buchanan. “In fact, from 2016 to 2021, the number of reported tips concerning child sexual exploitation received by the DOJ skyrocketed more than four times to a staggering 83,000. Since then, the problem has only gotten worse which is why I am pleased to help introduce the Stop Crimes Against Children Act with Congressman Pappas to increase collaboration between universities, nonprofits and law enforcement to crack down on these horrific crimes against children.”

“The Stop Crimes Against Children Act will effectively bolster the DOJ’s National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction. Because of this bill, organizations like UNH’s highly-regarded Crimes Against Children Research Center will more easily make their knowledge available to craft the national strategy. We are excited by this bill’s potential to help survivors and their families and decrease the toll of crimes against children.” – Dr. David Finkelhor, Director of UNH Crimes Against Children Research Center 

"At Zero Abuse Project, we believe in eliminating all forms of abuse and exploitation to protect children everywhere, and that's why we're once again endorsing Representative Pappas's revamped Stop Crimes Against Children Act. By enhancing and strengthening efforts to prevent crimes against children, as well as providing evidence-based resources and guidance to support child victims, this legislation will equip law enforcement, non-profit organizations, and all those on the front lines of child protection with the tools they need to keep kids safe." –Jeff Dion, CEO of Zero Abuse Project.