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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
09/07/2024 04:38 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=H&cosponId=42814
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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 5, 2024 01:51 PM
From: Representative Robert Leadbeter
To: All House members
Subject: Safeguarding Our Children: Enhanced Penalties for Child Rapists
 
Following the lead of several other jurisdictions, including Louisiana and California, I intend to introduce legislation to allow courts to order the chemical or surgical castration of child rapists to prevent these offenders from reengaging in predatory acts against children.  Sexual abuse can have profound and long-lasting effects on children, impacting their physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being.  Indeed, child victims of sexual abuse commonly develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation, which may lead to self-harm, substance abuse, eating disorders, and interpersonal problems.  While rehabilitative programming may assist child predators in managing and controlling deviate sexual impulses, decades of scientific research has established that there is no known cure for pedophilia. 
 
Chemical or surgical castration of child rapists will drastically reduce the likelihood that these dangerous predators will reoffend.  The threat of such a severe and lasting consequence will serve as a strong deterrent for potential predators compared to traditional punitive measures.  Moreover, considering the heinous nature of the offense and its immense impact on the lives and well-being of child victims, I believe that this punishment appropriately reflects the gravity of the offense.  To date, at least eleven other jurisdictions have passed legislation to permit the chemical or surgical castration of sexual predators, including Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, California, Oregon, Montana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Florida. 
 
Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation to better protect our Commonwealth. 
 




Memo Updated: June 5, 2024 01:52 PM