08 LC 95
0178
Senate
Resolution 779
By:
Senators Balfour of the 9th, Unterman of the 45th and Reed of the 35th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
January 30, 2008, as "A Future. Not a Past. Day" at the capitol; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia has a great heritage of protecting its children by creating
stiff penalties for those who seek to harm children through prostitution and
other forms of commercial sexual exploitation; and
WHEREAS,
independent studies are finding that despite strong laws and stiff penalties,
more than 250 adolescent girls are victims of prostitution in Georgia each
month; and
WHEREAS,
the prostitution of children is a crime that stretches across the state and
harms more girls in Georgia each month than are killed in car accidents
statewide each year; and
WHEREAS,
the Internet has evolved the prostitution of children into an organized industry
extending its reach to communities where such access to children was once
limited; and
WHEREAS,
65 percent of men who are inquiring about sex service on the Internet are
responding to ads that exploit young females; and
WHEREAS,
children between the ages of 11 and 16, but as young as ten, are being marketed
for sex; and
WHEREAS,
children who seek to escape their exploiters are often vigorously pursued,
beaten, raped, mutilated, and murdered; and
WHEREAS,
there is a greater need in our state for supportive services and a secure
environment for child victims of prostitution; and
WHEREAS,
these services will help in the identification and conviction of their
exploiters; and
WHEREAS,
the Senate has supported initial funding to provide these services through a
Regional Assessment Center and recognizes the need for a fully funded Regional
Assessment Center; and
WHEREAS,
the Senate has passed Senate Resolution 445, establishing the Joint Commercial
Sexual Exploitation of Minors Study Commission to undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to the prostitution of children
and recommend any action or legislation which the commission deems necessary or
appropriate; and
WHEREAS,
organizations, local governments, law enforcement, and individuals across
Georgia have joined together in a state-wide effort to stop the prostitution of
children through the campaign, "A Future. Not a Past"; and
WHEREAS,
stopping the prostitution of children is a noble endeavor that unites Georgians
from all walks of life and throughout our state; and
WHEREAS
all Georgia children are entitled to "A Future. Not a Past."
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body, on behalf
of the citizens of Georgia, hereby recognize January 30, 2008, as "A Future. Not
a Past. Day" at the capitol.