In the House Floor Session held on Wednesday, March 13th, Homer Representative Sarah Vance presented a bill before house members to consider which would change some negative terminology.
The bill, known as HB 265, changes the term ‘child pornography’ to ‘child sexual abuse material.’
Individuals sponsoring this bill alongside Rep. Sarah Vance are Rep. George Rauscher, Rep. Stanley Wright, Rep. Ben Carpenter, Rep. Andy Josephson, Rep. Jamie Allard, Rep. Andrew Gray, and Rep. Dan Saddler.
Under Alaska Law, any audio, video, electronic recording, photograph, book, or any other media that depicts the abuse of a child is currently defined as child pornography, but Rep. Vance says that by passing this bill, ‘it will get called for what is it, as child sexual abuse material.’
Vance refers to Child Sexual Abuse Material, or CSAM, which is often used about someone fighting against this crime. She believes that changing the term to ‘child sexual abuse,’ shows the gravity of the crime while taking a step forward in more accurately representing victims who cannot represent themselves.
“The term child pornography carries misleading connotations, suggesting a consensual act it fails to capture the essence of the crime. When it involves minors as children cannot provide legal consent the use of the term child sexual abuse material serves to correct this misconception highlighting the non-consensual and abusive nature that are depicted in these acts,” said Vance.
Vance says that she wants to emphasize this change because it would require Alaska State Statue to reflect a term that is “already used by those who are fighting this crime out in the field.”
“And so I want this consistency, but also to those who have suffered this abuse for them to know, we see you, we hear you, and we are going to call this what it is. It’s abuse,” said Vance.
According to the House Journal, HB 265 was met with support from many members of the Senate.
The Final vote was 39- 1, with Rep. David Eastman from Wasilla casting the only no vote.
If this bill becomes law, it would require individuals who have been charged with child pornography to now have charges concerning child sexual abuse material.
Audio Curtesy of Alaska Gavel/KTOO
