DeCroce & Angelini Bill Amends Sexual Assault Law
Measure Would Add More Protection for Young Victims  

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini have introduced legislation that would amend New Jersey’s sexual assault law to add more protection for young victims.

“Child sexual abuse has been at the center of unprecedented public attention during the last decade,” said Leader DeCroce. “One of the most important roles of government is to protect people who are vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment. At the top of that list are children susceptible to sexual abuse at the hands of adults in positions of trust and authority.”

Leader DeCroce and Angelini introduced Assembly Bill 2541 to add more protection for young victims who are taken advantage of by persons who have authority over them.

“This bill would strengthen the protections for the innocent victims who are preyed upon and left helpless,” said Angelini. “This legislation will increase penalties for those who abuse their positions of authority and commit these types of horrendous crimes.”

Under current law, a person who commits an act of sexual penetration with a minor who is at least 13 years old and less than 16 years old is guilty of aggravated sexual assault if the person has supervisory or disciplinary power over the minor. Aggravated sexual assault is a crime of the first degree, punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years or a fine of up to $200,000 or both. In addition, an act of sexual penetration with a minor who is at least 16 but less than 18 years old constitutes sexual assault, a second degree crime punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years or a fine of up to $150,000 or both.

“This legislation is an important step forward in protecting our children.” said Leader DeCroce.

This measure, would provide that a person who is or has been in a social or business relationship with the victim’s parent, resource family parent or guardian is also guilty of sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault (depending on the age of the victim) if the person commits an act of sexual penetration with a minor under the age of 18. Adults in this situation may not exactly fit the statute’s definition of “supervisory or disciplinary power,” particularly if they do not live with the victim’s parent, but nonetheless can take advantage of their young victims by exploiting their relationship with the parent or guardian to gain comparatively easy access to the victim.

“This measure helps to provide penalties for offenders who victimize defenseless children,” said Angelini. “We must work to stand up for our children and prosecute offenders to the fullest extent to help to prevent these devastating crimes to occurring in the future.”

The bill has been referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee and is now waiting to be posted for a vote.

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