This statement supports and endorses the Intellectual Freedom policies of the American Library Association (ALA) as exemplified by the ALA Bill of Rights. The case of Pico v. Island Trees Free School District provides a legal precedent in support of the idea that decisions to remove materials from the school library cannot be based on personal…

This hearing, the third in a series, was held to further consider proposed legislation (S. 2856) amending the Sexual Exploitation of Children Act of 1977. Specifically, federal child pornography laws were examined to determine how the interests of children could best be protected without unduly restricting First Amendment guarantees of freedom of…

The Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act would establish criminal penalties for the transmission by computer of obscene matter, or by computer or other means, of matter pertaining to the sexual exploitation of children. Opening statements by Senators Trible, Denton, Specter, and McConnell are presented. The text of the bill…

This document contains witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine the plight of child victims of exploitation. The opening statement by Congresswoman Boggs outlines federal legislation and Congressional action regarding the exploitation of children. Representative McCain discusses legislation he…

A Senate hearing on the cable porn and dial-a-porn control bill is presented in this document. Opening statements by Senators Jeremiah Denton, Arlen Specter, and Jesse Helms discuss the need for this bill and its content. The text of the bill itself is included. Jack D. Smith, General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)…

The recent "Urofsky v. Gilmore" decision considerably narrows the scope of academic freedom by rejecting arguments that faculty members in public colleges and universities have a constitutional right to academic freedom. In "Urofsky" the court ruled that professors do not have a constitutional right to view sexually explicit material on computers…

This document contains an extensive overview of the topics of child pornography and pedophilia. Pedophilia is defined for this report as a condition in which an adult's primary sexual attraction is to prepubescent children roughly between the ages of 6 and 12. The introduction discusses the recent history of public awareness of the problem,…

Explores the exemplar and nexus arguments structuring the debate on acceptable teacher conduct outside the classroom. The exemplar argument holds teachers to a mandatory role model standard. The nexus argument views teachers' private acts as protected unless job performance is affected. While nexus (via court litigation) has protected teachers'…

This document contains witness testimony and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine the operations of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Witnesses include the administrator, deputy administrator, and head of the research division of the OJJDP, along with a program specialist and a staff…

This document provides witness testimony and prepared statements from five sessions of the Congressional hearing called to consider the question of pornographic material and its effects on women and children. Witnesses include several victims of sexual abuse, medical personnel, legal and law enforcement personnel, magazine representatives, and…

This report was developed to highlight some of the most effective state laws that concern child victimization. It is intended for use by state legislators, governors, and state officials as well as by all citizens concerned about protecting children. A sampling of varied legislation from several states is included which demonstrates how the issues…

Reviews four recent court decisions affecting school law. A Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upheld Norfolk Schools' decision to abolish busing and reinstate neighborhood schools. The United States Supreme Court dismissed appeals to lower court decisions involving a minimum grade prerequisite, a teacher's privacy rights, and an "adult"…

Rather than focus on "who" makes the determination about students' access to sexually explicit expression, this volume examines the legal issues affecting "whether" to permit that access and "how much" access to allow. In sum, this book is intended to facilitate meaningful discussion about the regulation of minors'…

This document contains witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing on the Child Abuse Victims' Rights Act. Opening statements are included from Senators Charles E. Grassley, Jeremiah Denton, and Arlen Specter. Senator Grassley explains the proposed bill which would, among other things, protect children through the…

Discusses a California case involving a tenured professor's controversial teaching style, which focused on "obscene" topics and assignments that allegedly humiliated female students. The professor eventually prevailed in a Ninth Circuit appeal. The lesson: when attempting to eradicate sexual harassment, we cannot abandon important First…