To the editor:

To find out your child has been sexually assaulted by an adult is among the worst things a parent could imagine. Yet, the possibility for this to be a reality has been unnecessarily heightened for years in RI. Thankfully, our legislature passed into law House Bill 8230 on June 21, 2022, criminalizing sexual assault that will punish persons in authority who have sexual relations or engage in sexual contact with minors.

Of note is that this bill includes an exception for consensual relationships between 16-20 year olds whose age is within 30 months of each other, so there is NO reason at all not to support it.

"There are no circumstances where it is appropriate for an adult in any capacity to have a sexual relationship with a minor under their care. We find that behavior to be reprehensible,” said Frank Flynn, president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals.

"Recently, we have heard more and more of these situations where people in authority have taken advantage of our children in Rhode Island," said Ms. Julie Casimiro, democrat co-sponsor of the bill, to the Washington Free Beacon. "I don't know why four voted against it and others ‘took a walk' so they didn't have to vote. Voting yes is a vote to protect children. Voting no is a vote to protect predators!"

Thankfully, the bill passed on a vote of 64-4. But our Representative, Jason Knight, opposed the measure. Not once, but he voted against the bill a total of 3 times.

Given that this issue should, no doubt, rise above political lines, Mr. Knight’s democrat colleagues, including some who are attorneys, parents and grandparents in town, and most anyone who knows about the vote and cares about children, are left outraged - and rightly so.

Mr. Knight’s votes were a singular insult to the community and an affront to all who desire to protect our kids from adult predators.

Regardless of party lines and lawyerly spin attempting to explain away his votes, Mr. Knight cannot be returned to office this November. Please take a stand for the protection of children, and vote him out on Nov. 8!

Ellen Schaffer

Barrington