Washington, D.C. - Today the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to protect children from sexual predators.  ‘Two Strikes and You’re Out Child Protection Act’ (H.R. 2146) mandates a life sentence for any person convicted of a federal sex offense who has been found guilty of a similar offense in the past. 

“Sex crimes against children are monstrous and unforgivable acts,” said Larsen.  “This sends a clear message to those who would harm our children that these heinous acts will not be tolerated.  Congress must do what it can to protect America’s children from sexual predators.”

“Of all types of criminals, sexual predators are the most likely to be repeat offenders,” Larsen explained.

According to a 1991 Survey of State Prison Inmates for the Bureau Justice of Statistics, about ten percent of violent offenders with child victims received life or death sentences and the average prison term was 11 years, somewhat shorter averages than those received by those with adult victims.

Additionally, the same study noted that 3 in 10 child victimizers reported that they had committed their crimes against multiple victims; they were more likely than those who victimized adults to have had multiple victims.

"Federal sex offense" is defined to include aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a minor or ward, abusive sexual contact, sexual abuse resulting in death, the selling or buying of children or an offense relating to the transportation of minors involving an individual who has not attained the age of 16 years.

The Two Strikes and You’re Out Child Protection Act passed in the House 382-34 and will have to come up for a vote in the Senate before it can go to the President to be signed into law.