Royersford, PA – Septiembre 18, 2019 – Sen. Katie Muth (D-Berks, Montgomery, Chester) released the following statement regarding Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s announcement that Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Dauphin, Lebanon, York) has been charged with crimes related to the possession of child pornography:

“I want to make it very clear that the charges brought against Sen. Folmer for the possession of child pornography are the actions of a sexual predator. Child pornography is child rape. The news is disgusting, but sadly not surprising since there is a rape culture epidemic in our government and beyond. I commend Attorney General Shapiro for taking action to charge this criminal for his crimes and seek justice.

The Republican leaders in the Senate need to step up, remove this predator from his position as senator, put politics aside, and finally put victims first. A real leader would act now to pass truly victim-centered legislation to strengthen our laws to prevent future harm, as well as allow all victims to have a pathway to justice and healing. This predatory behavior is plaguing every level of government and it is time for Pennsylvania to lead the way in changing the culture, instead of settling for cowardly compromises and protecting elected officials who continue to abuse their power and harm others. Senate leadership has the power to enact change immediately and their failure to act with urgency directly enables rape culture. I call on Sen. Scarnati to do the right thing and make truly victim-centered legislation the priority next week when we return to Harrisburg, showing that the public servants of the Senate stand with survivors, not predators”

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