"We're seeing more juvenile perpetrators," she said. "We are being encouraged now to ask victims what kind of porn they've been exposed to and whether it was through the Internet. This bill can address some of the problem, but if parents aren't the first line of defense, then how can we stop this easy access into every home?"

Parents in southern Utah are "relatively naive" when it comes to the Internet and what their kids are seeing online, she added.

The porn industry is "big business," said Matheson, pulling in about $12 billion a year in sales.

"The porn industry has infiltrated our homes and it compromises what can be an excellent learning tool for our children," he said. "It is inexcusable for Congress not to act. We must stop the industry from exploiting the Internet to expose our children to objectionable material. Families should not have to do battle against this industry by themselves. They need a weapon that hurts and this bill is that weapon."

Pornography depersonalizes and dehumanizes people, said Sheffield.

"And the victims of this are male and female," said the sheriff. "These are our children. They're being actively pursued. This is a war and we've got to deal with it."

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com