A bill designed to make it easier for victims of child pornography to receive restitution from their perpetrators has been passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.
The Amy and Vicky Child Pornography Victim Restitution Improvement Act is named for two women who were victimized as children by an uncle and a father who distributed their images widely.
Mary Whittier, executive director of Bivona Child Advocacy Center, says the internet compounds the damage of this already horrific crime.
"An arrest may be made; someone may be in federal prison, but it can live on because of the internet. A lot of these victims, they continue to re-live that trauma. That is why therapy and professional help is so important. But if they don't have the funds to pay for therapy and professional help, this can help with that."
The bill would hold any single perpetrator of pornography accountable for the full damages of the crime, even if multiple perpetrators were involved.
Lawmakers say this means victims wouldn't have to sue many defendants before recovering damages.
The bill was sponsored in the Senate by New York Democrat Charles Schumer and Utah Republican Orrin Hatch.
