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COMMITTEE REPORT
March 7, 2000
H. 4010
Introduced by Reps. McGee, Simrill, Robinson, Haskins, Allen, Altman, Askins, Barrett, Campsen, Canty, Easterday, Gourdine, Hawkins, M. Hines, Limehouse, Maddox, McKay and Pinckney
S. Printed 3/7/00--H.
Read the first time April 29, 1999.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4010), condemning and denouncing all suggestions in a recently published study by the American Psychological Association that sexual relationships between adults and willing children are less harmful than believed and might even be positive, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
RONALD N. FLEMING, for Committee.
CONDEMNING AND DENOUNCING ALL SUGGESTIONS IN A RECENTLY PUBLISHED STUDY BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION THAT SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ADULTS AND WILLING CHILDREN ARE LESS HARMFUL THAN BELIEVED AND MIGHT EVEN BE POSITIVE FOR WILLING CHILDREN AND URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO REJECT AND CONDEMN THE SUGGESTIONS MADE IN THIS RECENTLY PUBLISHED STUDY.
Whereas, children are a precious gift and responsibility; and
Whereas, maintaining the spiritual, physical, and mental well-being of children is our sacred duty; and
Whereas, no segment of our society is more critical to the future of human survival and society than our children; and
Whereas, it is the obligation of all public policymakers not only to support but also to defend the health and rights of parents, families, and children; and
Whereas, information endangering children is being made public and, in some instances, may be given unwarranted or unintended credibility through release under professional titles or through professional organizations; and
Whereas, elected officials have a duty to inform and counter actions they consider damaging to children, parents, families, and society; and
Whereas, sexual molestation of a child is a felony in this State and parents who sexually molest their children are considered to be unfit; and
Whereas, the American Psychological Association has recently published a study that suggests that sexual relationships between adults and willing children are less harmful than believed and might even be positive for "willing" children. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, condemns and denounces all suggestions in the recently published study by the American Psychological Association that indicates sexual relationships between adults and willing children are less harmful than believed and might even be positive for "willing" children and that the United States Congress and the President of the United States are urged to reject and condemn, in the strongest honorable written and vocal terms possible, any suggestion that sexual relations between children and adults are anything but abusive, destructive, exploitive, reprehensible, and punishable by law; and that the South Carolina General Assembly encourages competent investigations to continue to research the effects of child sexual abuse using the best methodology so that the public and public policymakers may act upon accurate information.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, the Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice President of the United States and President of the United States Senate, Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and to the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.
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