Our family lives through anguish and distress every day after our young daughter, a victim of sexual abuse by a 21-year-old adult, is faced with the colossal task of finding her way back to normalcy. Strength and valour elude her form, as she wrestles with understanding the crime committed against her innocent and vulnerably young self. Notwithstanding our unwavering support, our daughter grapples with the emotional trauma, a protracted consequence of the heinous act. The responsibility of this emotional damage on our daughter however, doesn't reflect in the court's treatment of the perpetrator. It is devastating that Maine’s laws currently allow for such offenders to merely be charged with a misdemeanor unless there is a substantial age difference.

Under the present regulatory atmosphere, a 23-year-old can sexually exploit a 14-year-old and yet, face no more than a minor misdemeanor. A meager punishment of a year’s imprisonment is absurd. This reflecting the harsh reality of our legal system's blindness towards the continued distress and trauma consuming these young victims long after the crime. This must change.

We therefore insist on the revision of Maine's penal regulations pertaining to the sexual abuse of minors aged 14-15. Accountability should be enforced through stern sentencing and felony charges. A misdemeanor charge trivializes the gravity of the offense, making a mockery of our legal system. It's high time Maine and the rest of our great country confronts this issue head-on.

Join us in standing up against such disquieting breaches of law and demand better protections for young children across our state. Protect our kids by signing this petition to upgrade the charges for sexual abuse of a minor to a felony crime in Maine.