Obama’s Record on Protection Against Sexual Assault

September 15, 2008 by Holly in 2008 election, politics, sexual assault  

The McCain campaign recently put out a disgraceful and dishonest ad against Obama when it comes to protecting children from sexual assault. The campaign ad claims Obama’s “one accomplishment” in the area of education was “legislation to teach ‘comprehensive sex education’ to kindergarteners.”

Announcer: Education Week says Obama “hasn’t made a significant mark on education.” That he’s “elusive” on accountability. “A staunch defender of the existing public school monopoly.” Obama’s one accomplishment? Legislation to teach “comprehensive sex education” to kindergarteners. Learning about sex before learning to read? Barack Obama. Wrong on education. Wrong for your family.

John McCain: I’m John McCain and I approved this message.

While the bill Obama supports does include the term “comprehensive sex education,” that is about all the McCain campaign got right. What this ad did was pick a quote to use against Obama to scare the voting population into thinking Obama supports five year olds being taught about sex, which is completely wrong.

The bill in question called for all sex education course materials to include information that would help students recognize, among other activities, inappropriate touching, sexual assault and rape:

Course material and instruction shall discuss and provide
for the development of positive communication skills to maintain healthy relationships and avoid unwanted sexual activity. … Course material and instruction shall teach pupils … how to say no to unwanted sexual advances … and shall include information about verbal, physical, and visual sexual harassment, including without limitation non-consensual sexual advances, non-consensual physical sexual contact, and rape by an acquaintance. The course material and instruction shall contain methods of preventing sexual assault by an acquaintance, including exercising good judgment and avoiding behavior that impairs one’s judgment.

This bill passed in the Health and Human Services Committee with Democrats; however, the measure died while in the Senate and since 2005, no action has been taken on it. The reason I believe that this happened is because people, such as McCain, understand the bill as “teaching sex education to five year olds” and not teaching five year olds the difference between someone showing them affection and mistaking that affection as love when that acquaintance (or family member) is sexually abusing that child. As it stands now, it is up to the parents to educate their children about inappropriate touching and behavior and what is dramatically wrong with that is that the parents (or parent) themselves could be the very people abusing that child. Children need to be taught the difference between affection and abuse and right now, there is no other way for children to learn the difference other than from their parents.

In a debate with Republican Alan Keyes for an open seat in the U.S. Senate in 2004 Obama clarified the reasoning behind this bill and why it was important:

Keyes, Oct. 21, 2004: Well, I had noticed that, in your voting, you had voted, at one point, that sex education should begin in kindergarten, and you justified it by saying that it would be “age-appropriate” sex education. [It] made me wonder just exactly what you think is “age-appropriate.”

Obama: We have a existing law that mandates sex education in the schools. We want to make sure that it’s medically accurate and age-appropriate. Now, I’ll give you an example, because I have a six-year-old daughter and a three-year-old daughter, and one of the things my wife and I talked to our daughter about is the possibility of somebody touching them inappropriately, and what that might mean. And that was included specifically in the law, so that kindergarteners are able to exercise some possible protection against abuse, because I have family members as well as friends who suffered abuse at that age. So, that’s the kind of stuff that I was talking about in that piece of legislation.

I do not understand why anyone would have a problem with this bill except for them believing that either sexual assault doesn’t exist within children or doesn’t exist at all. On both accounts, these people would be sadly mistaken.

As a person who was sexually abused repeatedly throughout my childhood, I wish that someone had informed me about the difference between affection and abuse. The “stranger danger” talk does not work and it never has; you can tell your children to be weary of the creepy man down the street but how do they know what is happening when it’s their grandparents, uncles, aunts, fathers and even mothers? They don’t and that is the reason why it took me nearly a decade to utter a word about my abuse and no one should ever have to go through that–Ever.

Barack Obama’s record on protection against sexual assault is stellar:

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  • As karl Rove even said, McCain has "gone too far" in his ads attacking Obama.
  • Actually, Obama voted AGAINST the bill eliminating good behavior time for sex offenders.

    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/sro...
  • Joel_101
    Actually if you read the floor transcripts for that vote - you will see that obama made a mistake and requested it be changed - He pushed the wrong button

    [91st GA, SB 0485, 3/11/99, 3R P; 54-1-2; P.A. 91-0117, 7/15/99; Senate Floor Transcript, 3/11/99, p. 74]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/stat...
    http://www.ilga.gov/senate/transcripts/strans91...
  • If you look at the ad in its entirety it is about turning Obama into the sex crazed black male, an image that is socially acceptable to many. The idea of the black male sexual predator is not new, it made its appearance during slavery and continues to thrive today. Look at the perverted sneer on Obamas face. It is meant to make us think that he approves of "dirty sex" because that is all blacks think about. We are subhuman and can be reduced to our sexual organs.
  • Joel_101
    First I want to say that I support education and legislation that protects anyone against abuse or violence.

    Second, I do not agree with any parties ads that have even the slightest bit of deception included in them.

    This particular ad:

    The bill never went anywhere – how can it be an accomplishment?
    I read the bill.
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?...
    It was intended to amend already existing laws.

    “Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the School Code and the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Changes and adds criteria that sex education classes and comprehensive health education programs must satisfy. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.”

    One passage that I assume the ad is based upon:

    7 (a) If any school district provides courses of
    8 instruction designed to promote wholesome and comprehensive
    9 understanding of the emotional, psychological, physiological,
    10 hygienic and social responsibility aspects of family life,
    11 then such courses of instruction shall include the teaching
    12 of prevention of unintended pregnancy and all options related
    13 to unintended pregnancy, as the alternatives to abortion,
    14 appropriate to the various grade levels; and whenever such
    15 courses of instruction are provided in any of grades K 6
    16 through 12, then such courses also shall include age
    17 appropriate instruction on the prevention of sexually
    18 transmitted infections, including the prevention,
    19 transmission and spread of HIV AIDS. However, no pupil shall
    20 be required to take or participate in any family life class
    21 or course on HIV AIDS instruction if his parent or guardian
    22 submits written objection thereto, and refusal to take or
    23 participate in such course or program shall not be reason for
    24 suspension or expulsion of such pupil.

    I also read what age appropriate sex education is to some:
    http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/07/...
    http://www.siecus.org/
    http://www.siecus.org/_data/global/images/Right...
    http://www.siecus.org/_data/global/images/guide...

    One will have to make up their own minds on what is considered “age appropriate”.
    -------------
    Senators can not pass laws.
    -------------
    How a Bill Becomes a Law – similar for state legislature
    Introduction:
    Member of Congress introduces legislation. The official process begins when a bill is numbered, ("H.R." signifies a bill originating in the U.S. House of Representatives and "S." signifies a bill originating in the U.S. Senate) referred to a committee and printed.

    Step 1. Referral to Committee:
    A bill is referred to standing committee in House or Senate. The referral is determined by which committee, or committees, has jurisdiction over the issues addressed in the bill.

    Step 2. Committee Action:
    When a bill reaches a committee, it is placed on the committee’s calendar. If the committee chairperson decides not to hear a bill, or act upon it in some other way, it is the equivalent of killing it.

    Step 3: Subcommittee Review:
    Often, bills are referred to a subcommittee. Hearings held at the subcommittee or committee level allow the views of the executive branch, other public officials, experts, supporters and opponents to be put on the record.

    Step 4. Mark Up:
    After hearings are held, the subcommittee may "mark up" the bill (make changes or add amendments) prior to recommending it to the full committee. If a subcommittee votes not to report the bill to the full committee, the bill dies.

    Step 5. Committee Action:
    After receiving the subcommittee’s report on the bill, the full committee can conduct further hearings, or it can vote and "order the bill reported" to the respective chamber where the bill originated: House or Senate.

    Step 6. Written Report:
    After the bill is reported, committee staff prepares a report on the bill describing the intent and scope of the legislation.

    Step 7. Scheduling Floor Action:
    The bill is placed in chronological order on a calendar. The House keeps several legislative calendars, and the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader largely determine if, when and in what order bills come before the House. In the Senate, there is only one legislative calendar.

    Step 8. Debate:
    When a bill reaches the floor of the House or Senate, the chamber must vote on the rules determining the amount of time allocated for debate on the bill.

    Step 9. Voting:
    After debate and approval of any amendments, the chamber votes. Votes may be recorded electronically or by voice vote. A recorded or "roll call" vote contains the names of members who vote for or against the bill, or who did not vote at all. A voice vote is a simple "aye" or "no" and the presiding officer in the chamber determines the result. If a bill is non-controversial, or has been reviewed sufficiently by each member of Congress before even reaching the floor, it can be voted on without scheduling any debate. This is called "unanimous consent" or "suspension of the rules."

    Step 10. Referral:
    When the House or Senate passes a bill, it is referred to the other chamber which may approve the bill, reject it, ignore it or change it through the same committee or subcommittee action as described above.

    Step 11. Conference Committee:
    If the opposite chamber only makes minor changes, the legislation goes back to the originating chamber for approval of the changes. However, if the bill has been significantly altered, a conference committee with members from both chambers is formed to reconcile the differences. If the conferees can reach an agreement, a conference report is prepared, if not, the bill dies.

    Step 12. Presidential Action:
    After a bill has been passed in identical forms through the House and Senate (or reported out of a conference committee), it is sent to the President who may either sign it into law or veto (reject) it. If Congress is in session and the President takes no action, it automatically becomes law. If Congress has already adjourned its second session and the President takes no action, it is called a "pocket veto" and the bill is rejected.

    Step 13: Overriding a Veto:
    Congress may attempt to override a presidential veto, which requires a two-thirds majority roll call vote.
    ----------------------------
    Q: What does it mean when I ask my legislators to "co-sponsor" a bill. Is this really important?
    A: A co-sponsor is a representative or senator who joins the primary sponsor(s) in supporting a piece of legislation. Although it is not necessarily true that a bill needs many co-sponsors to pass, a large amount of co-sponsors indicates the bill has widespread support.
    ----------------------------

    Obama Passed Law to Help Combat Violence Against Women. [109th, HR 3402 (S. 1197), Passed by Unanimous Consent, 12/16/05; PL 109-162, 1/5/06]
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s...

    Obama Passed A Law To Create The Victims Economic Security And Safety Act. [93rd GA; HB 3486; 3R P 58-0-0, 5/20/03; Signed into law 8/25/03, PA 93-0591; Chicago Tribune, 8/20/03; University Wire, 8/22/03]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?...

    Obama Passed Law To Increase Penalties For Repeat Domestic Offenders. [92nd GA; HB 4081; 2002; Signed into law 8/22/02, PA 92-0827]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/stat...

    Obama Passed Law To Increase Penalties For Committing Battery In Or Near A Domestic Violence Shelter. [92nd GA, SB 0175, 3/29/01, 3R P; 55-0-0; P.A. 92-0516, 1/1/02; 91st GA, SB 1406, Session Sine Die, 1/9/01]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/stat...
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/stat...

    Obama Passed Law Improving "No Contact" Court Procedures in Domestic Abuse Petitions. [93rd, HB4395, 3R: 57-0-0, 5/5/04; PA 93-0811, 7/26/04]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?...

    Obama Passed Law Requiring Clear Language be Included in Emergency Orders of Protection. [93rd GA, SB2495, 3R: 57-0-0, 3/25/04; Concurrence: 53-0-0, 5/26/04 PA 93-0944, 8/17/04]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?...

    Obama Passed Law Raising Standards Related to Domestic Violence. [91st GA, SB0850, 1999, PA 91-0163, 99-07-16]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/stat...

    Obama Passed The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Database Act of 2005. [109th, S. 792, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 7/28/05; Referred to House Subcommittee, 9/19/05; Aberdeen American News, 10/6/06]
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s...

    Obama Passed A Bill To Protect Children From Known Sex Offenders. [109th, S. 1086, Passed by Unanimous Consent, 5/4/06; Held at desk, 5/8/06]
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s...

    Obama Passed Law Expanding Rights Of Alleged Victims of Sexual Assault. [93rd, HB4771, 2004, Third Reading: 5/19/2004, PA 93-0958 8/20/2004]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?...

    Obama Passed A Law To Make Administering A Date Rape Drug Aggravated Battery As Well As An Aggravating Offense To Criminal Sexual Assault. [90th GA, SB 1224, 3R P 54-0-0, 3/24/98; HA 1 Concur P 55-0-1, 5/20/98; PA 90-0735, 8/11/98]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet90/stat...
    http://www.ilga.gov/senate/transcripts/strans90...

    Obama Passed A Law to Expand the Definitions of "Sex Offender" and "Sex Offense" and Mandate Offender Disclosure. [92nd GA, HB 5874, 3R P 55-0-0, 5/7/02; Adopt CC Report P 54-0-1, 5/31/03; PA 92- 0828, 8/22/02]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/stat...

    Obama Passed Law to Require EMS For Sexual Assault Survivors To Include Coverage For Emergency Contraception. [92nd GA; SB 0114; 2001; Signed into law 7/25/01, PA 92-0156]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/stat...

    Obama Passed a Bill Eliminating Good Behavior Time For Sex Offenders. [91st GA, SB 0485, 3/11/99, 3R P; 54-1-2; P.A. 91-0117, 7/15/99; Senate Floor Transcript, 3/11/99, p. 74]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/stat...
    http://www.ilga.gov/senate/transcripts/strans91...

    Obama Passed Law to Extend Statute Of Limitations On Certain Sexual Offenses. [91st GA; HB 0329; 1999; Signed into law 8/11/99, PA 91-0475]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/stat...

    Obama Sponsored Illinois Senate Version Of The Bill That Would Seal Sexual Assault Victim's Records. [91st GA, SB 943, 1999, 3R P 58-0-0, 3/23/99, Total Veto Stands, 11/18/99]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/stat...

    SB 943 Was Amended To Include The Exact Bill Language Of HB 854 Before Obama Signed On As A Sponsor. [91st GA, SB 943, 1999, 3R P 58-0-0, 3/23/99, Total Veto Stands, 11/18/99]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/stat...
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/stat...

    Obama Passed Equal Pay Act In Illinois To Give 330,000 More Women Protection From Pay Discrimination. [93rd GA; SB 0002; 2003; Signed into law, 5/11/03, PA 93-0006; AP, 5/11/03; Chicago Tribune, 5/8/03; Chicago Tribune, 5/12/03]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?...

    Obama Passed A Law To Create The Victims Economic Security And Safety Act. [93rd GA; HB 3486; 3R P 58-0-0, 5/20/03; Signed into law 8/25/03, PA 93-0591; Chicago Tribune, 8/20/03; University Wire, 8/22/03]
    http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?...

    Obama Passed Into Law a Requirement that Women And Minority Scientists/Engineers Be Represented And Consulted on Specific Technology and Science Efforts. [S.Amdts. 923, Agreed to by unanimous consent, 4/25/07; S. 761, Incorporated into H.R. 2272, which became P.L. 110-289, 8/9/07]
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s...
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h...
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?s...

    Obama Passed Into Law An Amendment Creating A Mentoring Program For Women And Underrepresented Groups At DOE. [S.Amdts. 905, Agreed to by unanimous consent, 4/25/07, S. 761, Incorporated into H.R. 2272, which became P.L. 110-289, 8/9/07]
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s...
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h...
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?s...

    The last 2 are the same bill – Obama actually submitted 3 of the 80 amendments to the bill.

    Dru’s Law was never passed by itself – It was included in the “Adam Walsh Protection and Safety Act”, which was signed into law by President Bush, 27 July 2007.
    http://www.drusvoice.com/law/
    http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h...
  • A Survivor
    Personally, I think that teaching kids the difference between a good touch and a bad touch at an early age is needed. I don't feel that it should solely be left to parents to teach them, after all some violaters are parents. I really could have used these teachings when I was a child. It would have prevented many years of childhood sexual abuse, starting at a very early age.

    As for the ads, I can't imagine anyone in congress or the senate and especially some one running for president not wanting to do ALL they can to protect children and adults as well from sexual predators.

    All of the ads are there to mislead. Let's just focus on the FACTS.
  • Obama will support stronger laws against sexual predators. He is a parent and I am certain he would not want his own children to have to suffer in this way.
  • and as a survivor of sexual abuse, I strongly support any such initiative.
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