IJM Applauds House Passage of the REPORT Act to #ProtectKidsOnline
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC)
The bill awaits President Biden’s signature
Apr. 29, 2024, WASHINGTON, D.C. — International Justice Mission (IJM) welcomes the passage of the Revising Existing Procedures On Reporting via Technology (REPORT) Act in the House of Representatives. The bill was advanced by voice vote and will now be sent to the president for signature. A bipartisan bill to support efforts to combat online sexual exploitation of children, the REPORT Act (H.R.5082) was introduced in the House on July 28, 2023, by Representatives Laurel Lee (R-FL-15), Susie Lee (D-NV-03), Mariannette Miller‑Meeks (R-IA-01), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04). On March 21, 2024, the House Judiciary Committee advanced the legislation by a unanimous vote of 23-0.
“This is a strong bipartisan bill that provides additional tools to investigate and catch criminal purveyors of child sex abuse material, or CSAM. The exploitation of children through CSAM remains a serious problem – both within the United States and abroad,” said Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL-15). “Simply put, the legislation is crucial. It’s supported by law enforcement, advocacy groups and tech companies alike. It’s bipartisan. It’s common sense. And it will save lives.”
In 2023, more than 36 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline – up from 32 million in 2022. The significant increase in report volume indicates that this is a fast-growing crime in need of a rapid response.
Through critical updates to CyberTipline reports, the REPORT Act is a crucial step toward increased action to protect kids from sexual exploitation online, as it:
- Requires electronic service providers to report sex trafficking of children and enticement crimes.
- Expands penalties for failure to report such exploitation.
- Increases the preservation period for information submitted to the CyberTipline, which gives law enforcement more time to investigate and prosecute.
“Americans are some of the top offenders paying for and consuming child sexual abuse material and committing child sex trafficking online, including via livestreaming. Additionally, most of the technology platforms and apps weaponized to harm trafficked children, including in the Philippines, are based in the U.S. and governed by our laws,” said John Tanagho, Executive Director of IJM’s Center to End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children. “Therefore, it is our duty to be global leaders in urgently ending this horrific crime – and bills like the REPORT Act are critical in the movement to protect kids online.”
“IJM commends the bipartisan, bicameral support for this policy response to the surge in online sexual exploitation of children. Today’s passage of the REPORT Act is an important step in strengthening federal policy to better protect children online in the U.S. and around the globe,” said Nate King, IJM’s Director of Congressional Affairs. “We encourage President Biden to quickly sign the REPORT Act into law with the knowledge that, in doing so, the U.S. government is taking much-needed action to help protect children around the world who are vulnerable to violence and exploitation on the internet.”
The Senate bill (S.474) was introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) on Feb. 16, 2023, and passed by unanimous consent on Dec. 14, 2023. With today’s approval in the House of Representatives, the REPORT Act now awaits action by President Biden. IJM urges the president to swiftly sign the REPORT Act into law.
The REPORT Act is one of several bipartisan bills introduced in the 118th Congress to protect children from further sexual abuse and exploitation online. IJM urges Congress to move additional bills, like the EARN IT Act, forward without delay.
About International Justice Mission
International Justice Mission partners with local authorities in 31 program offices in 16 countries to combat slavery, violence against women and children and police abuse of power. IJM’s mission is to protect people in poverty from violence by rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Learn more about IJM’s public policy and advocacy work.
