FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2010
CONTACT: Erica Terry Derryck, DA Harris’ Office, (415) 553-1167, (415) 740-5134, erica.derryck@sfgov.org
SF District Attorney Kamala D. Harris Testifies in Support of Bill Requiring Witnesses to Report Sexual & Violent Crimes Against All Minors
Senator Leland Yee’s SB 840 Passes out of Public Safety Committee with Unanimous Vote
SACRAMENTO – San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris testified before the California Senate Public Safety Committee in support of Senator Leland Yee’s (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) bill to require witnesses to report sexual and violent crimes against older minors.Richmond community leaders and members of California Law Enforcement joined, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and Senator Leland Yee in providing testimony in support of this legislation that would require individuals who reasonably believe that they have witnessed a murder, rape or lewd or lascivious act with a child under the age of 18 to notify law enforcement officials. Current law only requires individuals to report such crimes against minors under the age of 14.
“Criminals who murder, rape or sexually abuse children should not be able to get away with it simply because the victim is 15 or 16 years old instead of 14,” said San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris. “Extending the age limit to 18 is crucial to protect all children and prosecute abusers. This is exactly what police and prosecutors need to compel witnesses to come forward, investigate these unconscionable crimes, and hold offenders accountable.”
In a 6-0 vote, the Senate Public Safety Committee today approved legislation in response to the Richmond case in which a 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped repeatedly by a group of young males with as many as 20 witnesses to the crime.
“It is unconscionable that anyone could witness such a crime to a child and not report it to authorities,” said Senator Leland Yee. “Unfortunately, it has taken another senseless tragedy to highlight the need to further protect children and our collective responsibility as a society.”
SB 840 is supported by the Children's Advocacy Institute, California State Parent Teacher Association, California Psychiatric Association, Crime Victims United, Crime Victims Action Alliance, California Narcotic Officers Association, California Police Chiefs Association, California Peace Officer’s Association, Peace Officers Research Association of California, Children Now, and the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association.
“It is a terrible sign of our times that we need legislation to hold the public accountable to protect minors from violent crimes,” said PORAC President Ron Cottingham. “As the largest public safety association in the nation representing more than 62,000 public safety officers, PORAC is proud to support SB 840 and to continue our mission of increasing the safety and protection of Californians.”
Penalties under Senator Yee’s SB 840 child protection act would mirror existing law with a misdemeanor offense punishable by $1,500 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. SB 840 will now be considered by the Appropriations Committee before a vote by the full Senate.
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