Allred, Majority Leader Florez fight to protect young crime victims from cyber harassment
Child victim of Anand Jon inspires bill to extend protective orders to internet contact

SACRAMENTO – Victims’ rights attorney Gloria Allred and her client, a child victim of fashion designer Anand Jon, will join Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez (D-Shafter) on Tuesday to testify on behalf of legislation to stop the on-line harassment of child crime victims by the perpetrators and their associates.  They will hold media availability in Florez’s office at 10 a.m. after the vote.

Jon, once a rising young fashion designer known for appearances on programs such as “America’s Next Top Model,” was convicted last year of sex crimes against a number of young, aspiring models.  Jon was also convicted of two counts of committing a lewd and lascivious act on a child.

Autumn Albin, an aspiring model who was Jon’s child victim and is now a young adult, alleges that after his conviction she was harassed by a person who appeared to be acting on behalf of Mr. Jon.  That individual allegedly sent messages to her on-line friends and acquaintances insinuating that she had sent Jon to prison with false testimony, revealing her name and other personal information to many who knew nothing of the fact that Autumn was a victim of crimes committed by Anand Jon.

Albin publicly revealed her identity in November upon introduction of SB 834 to prevent other young crime victims from being put through the harassment she has experienced. 

Senate Bill 834 seeks to protect the privacy and safety of victims who are minors and testify in a criminal matter.  The measure clarifies that a protective order prohibiting contact extends to harassing a victim through his or her on-line friends.  The bill is an attempt to bring the law up to speed with advances in technology. 

“No child who has been a crime victim should be unfairly targeted and harassed after she has found the courage to testify in a criminal case,” said Allred.  “This bill will provide new and important protections for crime victims who are under eighteen.”
 
“We need to be responsible for ensuring the law matches the reality our children face today, and do what is within our power to keep young crime victims from being revictimized,” said Florez.

Senate Bill 834 will be heard by Senate Public Safety at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Capitol Room 4203.

*** MEDIA ADVISORY *** MEDIA ADVISORY *** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
 

WHO:             Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez (D-Shafter)
                        Attorney Gloria Allred
                        Autumn Albin, alleged victim of cyber harassment over her testimony in the Anand Jon case
 

WHAT:           News conference following Senate Public Safety vote on SB 834
 

WHEN:           Tuesday, April 6, 2010; 10:00 a.m.
                        (Bill hearing at 9:30 a.m. in Senate Public Safety, Room 4203)
 

WHERE:         Office of Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, D-Shafter
                        State Capitol, Room 313; Sacramento, California