Goodman Stands alone at Senate Hearing

Date: April 7, 2008
By: Reed Erickson
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: Child advocacy groups are worried a bill in the Missouri senate could cause more harm to child victims of rape.

Reed Erickson has more from the Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:30
OutCue: SOC A bill that would give prosecutors the option to pursue the death penalty for those convicted of forcable rape or sodomy of children under 12 found no support in a Monday Hearing. In fact, not one witness testified in favor of the bill before the Senate Judiciary comittee. Representatives of child advocacy groups told the committee they're afraid this may keep victims from reporting rape, or worse, encourage attackers to kill those they've abused. Colleen Coble of the Missouri Coalition against domestic and sexual violence says though this is only intended as an option for prosecutors, she is afraid it could have a chilling effect on this often under-reported crime.

Actuality: RAPEDIE1.WAV

Run Time: 00:19

Description: The word from this building that goes out in real life tor people is not about biforcation and it's not about mitigating circumstances, it's if we tell he will die. They want the abuse to stop, they want their children to be safe but word on the street is the way people live.

Child Advocacy supporters said often seeking the most severe punnishment of an offender isn't in the best interest of the child.

At the State Capitol, Reed Erickson, KMOX News.

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