Karen Berg, a Kentucky state senator, sparked outrage after suggesting that child sex dolls should be given to pedophiles to help prevent abuse. Berg also referred to pedophiles as “minor-attracted persons” when making her controversial comments.
“There are what they call MAPs — minor-attracted persons — and the limited amount of research that’s done on these dolls suggests that they actually, for people who are attracted to minors, that these dolls actually decrease their proclivity to go out and attack children,” Ms Berg said while addressing the Kentucky Senate Judiciary Committee. “That it actually gives them a release that makes them less likely to go outside of their home,” she added.
Berg’s statements came during a discussion on House Bill 207, a measure that sought to establish a legal definition for “child sex doll” and prohibit the possession, trafficking, or import of such dolls. The measure ultimately passed the Senate and will be signed into law by Democrat Governor Andy Beshear.
Berg issued an apology for her remarks and ultimately voted in favor of House Bill 207. “As a mom and a physician, I am, of course, deeply concerned with the harm of pedophilia, and I regret if my question in committee didn’t convey that,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).