Our organization performed an analysis of statutes and punishments for each state for the sexual assault (rape) of a child.  We looked at the strength of protections of children primarily under the age of 12 and punishments for convicted offenders.  

 

A Red state would indicate a need for improvement in both the minimum required sentence of an offender as well as improvement in punishments such as the death penalty. 

 

Yellow would indicate strength usually in one area such as a minimum 25 year prison sentence, but needs improvement in other areas of punishment for deterrence. 

 

A green state would represent a state that has both capital punishment as well as a strong minimum sentence of at least 25 years for offenders.  Other factors considered may be that a state doesn’t protect all prepubescent children and the age should be increased.