SACRAMENTO –Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) is introducing legislation that will put a person who has been convicted of a crime against a child under the age of 18 years in prison for the rest of his or her life.

“Technological advances such as the internet, have contributed to a dramatic increase in crimes against children” stated Galgiani, “This is alarming.  It is time the law ensures that the punishment reflects the severity of the crime”.

The incidence rate of child abuse and neglect in this country is about ten times as high (40 children per thousand children per year) as the incidence rate for all forms of cancer (3.9 individuals per thousand individuals per year) at a significant social and economic cost to the state and the country.  California needs to address these consequences and start giving this epidemic the same consideration as any other health need. 

For example, it is estimated that one-in-five girls and one-in-ten boys in the United States are sexually exploited before they reach adulthood. These young victims are left with permanent psychological, physical, and emotional scars. 

Galgiani’s legislation will lend to reducing these shocking statistics by putting child predators in prison for life.

 “Three strikes is 3 kids – that’s 3 kids too many”, said Galgiani. “We should have a zero tolerance policy for sex offenders.  You hurt a child once, you should go to prison for life.”