New Child Sex-Abuse Law May Leave Parents Afraid to Even Change a Baby’s Diaper in Arizona

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New Child Sex-Abuse Law May Leave Parents Afraid to Even Change a Baby’s Diaper in Arizona

By Virginia Kruta

Most Americans can agree that having laws against child sex abuse is generally a good thing. But just as there can be too much of any good thing, some laws – no matter how well-intentioned – can go a few steps too far.

For example, a law that was recently passed in the state of Arizona…

As reported at Slate:

“The Arizona Supreme Court issued a stunning and horrifying decision on Tuesday, interpreting a state law to criminalize any contact between an adult and a child’s genitals.”

At first glance, it might appear to be one of those “good laws.” After all, no adult should have contact with a child’s genitals, right? But Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern points out one glaring problem:

“According to the court, the law’s sweep encompasses wholly innocent conduct, such as changing a diaper or bathing a baby. As the stinging dissent notes, ‘parents and other caregivers’ in the state are now considered to be ‘child molesters or sex abusers under Arizona law.’

Those convicted under the statute may be imprisoned for five years.”