Sexual Predators

"Long before attention was focused on sexual predators, I was fighting to prevent them from ever harming another child. Protecting women and children from sexual predators will be a priority in the attorney general's office."

The Internet should be a safe environment for families to learn and shop. As a mother and as a public official, I am incensed at the growing use of the Internet by sexual predators to victimize children. As detailed in a report by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the risks to children online are disturbing and a call to action:

• 1 in 7 children will be the victim of unwanted sexual solicitations;
• 1 in 3 children will be unwillingly exposed to sexual material; and
• 1 in 11 children will be threatened or have other offensive behavior directed at them.

As attorney general, I will instruct the AG's Cyber Crime Unit to work with the Missouri Department of Public Safety's Computer Forensic Unit and local law enforcement to conduct investigations and prosecute crimes involving child pornography. I will also create a Fugitive Unit to complement the work of the Cyber Crimes Unit. The Fugitive Unit will locate convicted child sex offenders who have violated the terms of their parole and could be stalking children and work with local law enforcement to bring them into custody.

Long before political attention was focused on sexual predators, I was fighting to prevent them from ever harming another child. I was regularly appointed by the judges to represent the interests of children because they knew I would not back down. Protecting women and children from sexual predators and sexual abuse will be a priority of the Attorney General's office. I will work with judges and law enforcement officials to develop legislation to assist prosecution of these criminals.