May 8, 2014 – U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R – Utah) and Chuck Schumer (D – New York) today introduced the Amy and Vicky Child Pornography Victim Restitution Act.
According to a release issued by Hatch’s office, the legislation is designed “to create an effective, balanced restitution process for victims of child pornography that also responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in Paroline v. United States.”
“Victims of child pornography suffer a unique kind of harm and deserve a unique restitution process, and the Amy and Vicky Act is that solution,” Hatch said in the release. “In the Paroline decision, the Supreme Court made it clear that the ball was in Congress’ court in order to give child pornography victims the tools necessary to seek restitution from those responsible for perpetuating this heinous crime.”
Professor Paul Cassell, who argued the case for Amy before the Supreme Court for the University of Utah Appellate Clinic, said that “Victims of child pornography crimes deserve full restitution from criminals who have harmed them, and this bill will make sure that happens.”
To read about Cassell’s Supreme Court argument, click here.