From Rhode Island State Senator Jessica De La Cruz:<br /><br />Education and child safety advocates joined Senate Minority Whip Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester) to support legislation that will close a loophole that allows those in positions of authority to engage in sexual relations with children.<br /><br />“Parents are angry and scared, and they want this bill passed. Concerned parents will join me at the State House on Monday,” de la Cruz said. <br />The event took place on Monday, May 16, in the Rhode Island State House Library.<br /><br />Parents and other advocates for the legislation delivered remarks in support of (2022-S 2219) and (2022-H 8230), which would make sexual relations perpetrated by a person with a position of authority over children between 14 and 18 illegal. Representative Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, Exeter, North Kingstown) is sponsoring the House bill.<br /><br />Atty Tim Conlon, represents victims from North Kingstown and East Greenwich:<br /><br />"Having represented kids, and adults who were abused as kids, for nearly 40 years, I have long been concerned about the various loopholes that leave our children exposed to adult predators.<br /><br />Most Rhode Islanders would be shocked to learn that an adult teacher who takes advantage of a 16 - year-old girl with a crush and wants to have sex with her teacher is not subject to criminal prosecution.<br /><br />For that matter, parents can call the police if there is a teacher caught in the back of a car with a naked love struck 15 - year-old, but the police are powerless to charge unless they can prove penetration.<br /><br />Our age of consent laws as written take no account for the imbalance of power and the obvious fact that someone in a position of trust cannot meaningfully get consent for sex acts from a child in their care.<br /><br />This bill is important because it sends a clear message that abuses of positions of authority will not be tolerated, and gives the police a clear mandate to take action against child predators who are abusing such positions. Finally, it brings Rhode Island in line with so many states that are clear in providing criminal sanctions for professionals who prey upon kids."<br />...<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SntuVm5bIn8" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SntuVm5bIn8</a>