New Law Changes Child Pornography Language In Oklahoma

On Wednesday, Governor Kevin Stitt ceremonially signed into law a bill that reframes language surrounding victims of child sexual abuse.

House Bill 3936 was sponsored by Democratic Rep. Melissa Provenzano, and Republican Sen. Darrell Weaver. It replaces all references of "child pornography" in state statutes with the term "child sexual abuse material."

"A child cannot consent to pornography," Weaver said, who is the former director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. The agency shares a mission for human trafficking. "So now, it's more appropriately, child abuse material. If you think about it, whether it be a photograph, a video or any type of recording of a child in this type of act, is child abuse."

Provenzano was unavailable for an interview but said in a news release:

“With this new law, we are moving away from the ‘you know it when you see it’ mindset and embedding clear and concise language into law that helps prosecute child predators."

The lawmakers said the change in wording also reminds victims they are not to blame. They hope it also encourages a broader reflection on all instances of child sexual abuse, and that families have conversations about identifying and coming forward when instances occur.