Durbin Delivers Remarks At National Center For Victims Of Crime’s Annual Training Institute

Durbin Delivers Remarks At National Center For Victims Of Crime's Annual Training Institute

CHICAGO-Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered brief remarks at the National Center for Victims of Crime's (NCVC) National Training Institute (NTI), an annual conference providing nearly 800 victim service professionals an opportunity to engage and learn from leaders in the victim advocacy community.

In his remarks, Durbin focused on the need for Congress to hold Big Tech accountable for its failure to protect children and users from harm. Durbin also applauded last month's landmark settlement requiring Meta to pay more than $17 billion in penalties and make major changes to Facebook and Instagram over claims the company endangers children with addictive social media platforms.

"Parents and grandparents across America feel a pit in their stomachs every time their child logs onto a phone, tablet, or video game console. These parents and grandparents know that the internet has now become a hunting ground for predators, but accountability is finally coming," Durbin said. "The recent landmark verdicts confirming that social media companies have a duty to protect children using their platforms is a crucial first step. As moment builds in the courts, Congress must do its part to ensure Big Tech is forced to change its behavior."

Durbin has used his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee to prioritize child safety online through hearings, legislation, and oversight efforts.

On January 31, 2024, while Durbin was serving as Chair, the Committee held a hearing featuring testimony from the CEOs of social media companies Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter). This hearing highlighted the ongoing risk to children and the immediate need for Congress to act on the bipartisan bills reported by the Committee.

Durbin and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) joined forces to reintroduce the bipartisan STOP CSAM Act, which would combat online child sexual abuse material. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously and awaits action on the Senate floor.

In addition, Durbin's bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act) passed the Senate in July 2024 and again in January 2026. The legislation would hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit "deepfake" images and videos. The bill awaits consideration by the House.

Durbin also introduced the Sunset Section 230 Act with the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), which would repeal Section 230 two years after the date of enactment so that those harmed online can bring legal action against the companies that caused the harm. The bill awaits consideration by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

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