Combatting Internet Crimes Against Children
In 2023, our community suffered the tragic loss of an Oconto teen who died by suicide after falling victim to sextortion. Combatting and preventing this situation from happening again has been a top priority for me this session. I am proud to report that the governor recently signed 5 bills relating to child safety online and creating new legal protections for victims and their families.
Act 215 establishes a civil cause of action for victims of sextortion. Under this measure, a victim of sexual extortion or their representatives can to file a lawsuit against the individual who targeted them to recover damages for injury, emotional distress, or loss of property. Additionally, if a victim of sextortion loses their life as a result of the sexual extortion, this new law allows the parents or representatives of the victim to file a wrongful death suit against the perpetrator. This builds upon Act 48, which created the crime of sextortion as a tiered felony.
Acts 216 and 217 provide funding for local law enforcement and for four additional positions within the Department of Justice to investigate and combat internet crimes against children. Reports of child victimization online, known as Cyber Tips, have skyrocketed. Law enforcement needs these critical resources to continue responding to and apprehending perpetrators.
Act 218 authorizes the DOJ to serve subpoenas to investigate sextortion of minors. The Attorney General or their designee is authorized to serve administrative subpoenas to various entities in human trafficking investigations or internet crimes against children. This act expands the current law to include sextortion in this category, allowing law enforcement to investigate and prosecute child exploitation online more efficiently.
Act 219 requires the DOJ to continue its public awareness campaign to educate people about the risks children face online. The campaign includes the DOJ providing these educational tools and materials to schools at no cost. As these troubling cases have unfortunately grown throughout the state, I am thankful we were able to get these measures protecting our youth from internet based crimes signed into law.
Severe Weather Awareness Week
This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin. It has been unfortunately fitting, as the state has experienced a myriad of storms, including those that led to flooding in the Fourth Assembly District. Thank you to our incredible first responders for remaining on scene as the situation unfolded, diligently communicating the impending dangers to the public, and for their courage in executing missions to keep impacted citizens safe. Our police, fire, EMS, and telecommunications workers deserve recognition year-round, but their praise is especially relevant today. For anyone impacted by flooding this week, please utilize the following resources that may be able to assist you: https://dnr.wisconsin.
Congratulating Local Leadership
[see featured photo above] It was a pleasure to recognize Burt McIntyre as he is retiring from his honorable decades of service to the Village of Howard. Burt was elected to the Howard Village Board in 2005 and 2007, serving as a Village Trustee before being elected Village President in 2008. As a testament to his commitment to public service on behalf of his community, he is the longest-serving Village President Howard has ever had, serving honorably for 18 years. Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for your unwavering and dedicated service to the people of Howard.Follow Along on Facebook
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Contact Me
My office is always available to help with any state-related questions or concerns you may have. You can reach my office at (608) 237-9104, or email me at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.
