State Senator Thomas J. Herlihy, R- Simsbury, today joined his Senate colleagues in voting in favor of legislation that would impose mandatory minimum prison sentences on people convicted of sexually assaulting children.  Sen. Herlihy said that mandatory minimum sentences for such crimes is the right policy for the state of Connecticut. 

“Connecticut has been behind the curve when it comes to strengthening our laws against child predators.  We need to send a clear message that this state will take every measure possible to ensure the safety of our children,” said Sen. Herlihy.    “This vote indicates to me that Connecticut will not stand for sexual crimes against children.  It is my hope the House of Representatives will do the same.”

After pressure from Senator Herlihy and the Senate Republicans Caucus, the State Senate unanimously passed stronger penalties for pedophiles who sexually assault children.  The compromise bill mandates a 25 year prison term for a first offense and life imprisonment for a second for persons convicted of first degree, second degree and aggravated sexual assault of a child under age 13, as well as for promoting prostitution of a minor.  The bill, patterned after “Jessica’s Law”, passed in Florida in response to the kidnapping and killing of 9 year old Jessica Lunsford by a released pedophile who was wanted for probation violations but no attempts were made to locate him pursuant to the warrant.  Two Republican provisions that failed to be included in the final version of the bill were harsher penalties for using a computer to entice a minor into sex, and a requirement that released pedophiles wear a GPS tracking device and be subjected to constant monitoring.
        
“There are many people, not only here in Connecticut but around the nation, who believe Connecticut’s laws against child predators are too lenient.  That is not a distinction that we should be proud of, and this law corrects what I consider to be a major flaw in our penal code,” said Sen. Herlihy.  He said that current law imposes a 10-year minimum prison sentence if the victim is under age 10 and a five-year sentence if the victim is between ages 10 and 16.

“We’ve been reading too many accounts of sexual abuse against children as of late.  This bill needs to become law,” said Sen. Herlihy.  “We cannot tolerate these types of crimes in Connecticut.  It’s that simple.”