A parental rights bill intended to prohibit medical procedures on minors without parental consent could also end up unintentionally protecting sexual predators who abuse children.
According to Idaho Reports, the new law, which went into effect July 1, prohibits minors from getting sexual assault exams, or rape kit exams, without parental consent.
According to an Idaho State Police sexual assault nurse coordinator, this becomes problematic if the perpetrator of the child’s sexual assault is a parent, family member, or close family friend.
According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, an estimated 93 percent of child sexual abuse perpetrators know their victims, and 34 percent are family members.
Prior to the law going into effect, any person 14 years or older could give informed consent for the exam.
The lead sponsor of the bill, Republican Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon, of Burley, told Idaho Reports that this was not the intent of the bill.
