Lampitt Statement on Bill to Combat Child Sexual Abuse

in New Jersey

Measure Passed Full Senate on Monday; Heads to Governor’s Desk

(TRENTON) – In response to the full Senate’s approval of a bill to strengthen efforts to fight against child sexual abuse in New Jersey, Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt released the following statement. The Assembly approved the bill in January by a vote of 76-0.

“Just one case of sexual abuse of a child is one too many. But in 2016, over 57,000 children in the U.S. were found to be victims of sexual abuse by Child Protective Services,” said Lampitt (D-Camden, Burlington). “There are likely countless other children who are too afraid to come forward with their own stories. It’s impossible for us to know how many victims exist, but there are steps we can take to ensure we in New Jersey give each and every one of them a voice.

“Our work to end child sexual abuse presses forward with a bill I’ve sponsored, which was approved by my colleagues in the Senate today. A-4403 would establish a 17-member task force within the Department of Education to examine ways to reduce child sexual abuse in New Jersey.

“It is my hope that this bill, once signed into law, will help bring children who are victims of sexual abuse out of the shadows, hold abusers accountable, and get a step closer to ending abuse altogether.”