News
Concern over teen nude camp
Published: Jul 09, 2003 - 08:01 AM
Miami - Florida governor Jeb Bush, a brother of the US president, has expressed concern over the potential for "inappropriate or illegal behavior" at a nudist camp for teenagers in the southeastern state.
But, responding to a complaint by US lawmaker Mark Foley, the governor also pointed out that Florida law "does not criminalize mere nudity."
But, responding to a complaint by US lawmaker Mark Foley, the governor also pointed out that Florida law "does not criminalize mere nudity."
In a letter to Foley made public on Monday, the governor's office said that authorities were reviewing records to determine whether there had been any reports of child abuse related a nudist camp for children aged 11-18 near Tampa, Florida.
Foley, the representative for West Palm Beach, Florida, and co-chairperson of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Childrens Caucus, recently wrote to the governor, saying the very nature of the camp amounted to exploitation of the children, who risked being exposed to pedophiles.
"As of this writing, we are unaware of any reports alleging child abuse, neglect or exploitation related to the camp," the governor's office said in its response.
"The governor shares your concern for the well-being of children in the state of Florida, and is troubled by the potential that exists for inappropriate or illegal behavior involving children who are nude in the presence of non-parental adults," the letter said.
But it pointed out that public nudity is only considered a crime in Florida if "intent to engage in lewd or lascivious conduct" is demonstrated.
"The rights of parents to impart their values to their children and raise their children as they see fit are sacred. But these rights require responsibility," the letter said.
Foley, the representative for West Palm Beach, Florida, and co-chairperson of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Childrens Caucus, recently wrote to the governor, saying the very nature of the camp amounted to exploitation of the children, who risked being exposed to pedophiles.
"As of this writing, we are unaware of any reports alleging child abuse, neglect or exploitation related to the camp," the governor's office said in its response.
"The governor shares your concern for the well-being of children in the state of Florida, and is troubled by the potential that exists for inappropriate or illegal behavior involving children who are nude in the presence of non-parental adults," the letter said.
But it pointed out that public nudity is only considered a crime in Florida if "intent to engage in lewd or lascivious conduct" is demonstrated.
"The rights of parents to impart their values to their children and raise their children as they see fit are sacred. But these rights require responsibility," the letter said.
