California Dems target GOP with ads calling them soft on child sex trafficking
A recent series of Facebook ads funded by the California Democratic Party has sparked controversy over the protection of 16- and 17-year-old sex trafficking victims. The ads claim that Republicans are against stronger laws to protect older teens from sex trafficking, specifically targeting state Republican lawmakers who allegedly voted against such legislation.
The ads began circulating after a vote in the California Assembly last week, where Democrat leaders decided not to move forward with AB 379, a bill that aimed to make it a felony to purchase or solicit 16- and 17-year-olds for sex. The bill, authored by Democratic Assemblymember Maggy Krell, sought to crack down on buyers in the child sex trafficking trade and align their punishments with traffickers.
However, in a controversial move, Democrat leaders forced Krell to remove the felony provision from the bill in order for it to move forward. This decision led to backlash from Republicans who accused Democrats of prioritizing political interests over the safety of children. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher and other GOP lawmakers pushed back against the accusations, highlighting the Democrats’ failure to protect minors.
Despite the exclusion of the felony provision, Democrats defended their actions by claiming that they were still committed to protecting 16- and 17-year-old victims of sex trafficking. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas was reportedly behind the ad campaign targeting Republican lawmakers who opposed the bill.
The issue of protecting older teens from sex trafficking has been a contentious one in California, with conflicting views on how to address the problem. While some Democrats argue that harsher penalties for buyers are necessary, others believe that the focus should be on traffickers who exploit minors.
As the debate continues, both parties are at odds over the best approach to combatting sex trafficking and ensuring the safety of vulnerable teenagers. The ad campaign has only served to intensify the political divide, with Republicans accusing Democrats of putting politics ahead of the well-being of children.
In the midst of this controversy, it remains to be seen whether lawmakers can come together to find a solution that effectively addresses the issue of sex trafficking and provides greater protection for minors. The fate of AB 379 and the broader fight against sex trafficking in California will continue to be a topic of heated debate in the coming weeks.
