State Assemblywoman Audra Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) recently presented a bill before the Assembly Public Safety Committee that would institute a one-strike policy for child molesters who kidnap their victims with the intent to commit lewd and lascivious acts. Strickland’s legislation would send these dangerous sexual predators to prison for life.

"Child molesters have a 400 percent higher recidivism rate than any other violent criminals," said Strickland. "With an estimated 63,000 convicted first-time child molesters in California alone, it is necessary that these predators are locked up for good."

Assembly Bill 1106 unanimously passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee. In addition to increasing punishment for kidnappers, this legislation will also create a one-strike policy for child molesters who repeatedly assault their victims.

"Some crimes are so heinous that one-strike is necessary to protect our community," said Strickland.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, more than 4 million child molesters live in the U. S. On average, a molester abuses between 30 to 60 children before being arrested, including as many as 380 times in his lifetime.