State Senator John Broden of South Bend wants tougher penalties against offenders convicted of child molestation. The initiative enhances the penalty for sex crimes against children that result in the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease. Legislation initiated by Broden would enhance the penalty from a Level 3 to Level 1 felony for child molestation that results in the victim contracting a sexually transmitted disease. A Level 1 Felony carries a sentence of between 20 and 40 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Broden says any act against a child is unconscionable, but cases where victims are left with both emotional and physical trauma are especially troubling. He says by upping the penalty against those that commit the heinous acts, the state is standing up for victims.
