WASHINGTON — On what is known as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved on Thursday the bipartisan Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act, a bill introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., along with Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

The legislation, which has the backing of 23 Republican and Democrat cosponsors, ensures victims of child pornography are justly compensated by criminals who produce or possess it.

One of the namesakes of the bill, “Amy,” is a Pennsylvania resident whose childhood was shattered when, at ages eight and nine, her uncle raped her and distributed the images online.

“Sexual abuse and exploitation of children are indefensible and heinous crimes. Victims like Amy will be affected for the rest of their lives, as images of their abuse continue to be trafficked online,” Toomey said. “The Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act gives victims improved access to restitution from the sick individuals who produce, distribute, and possess this exploitative filth.”

 The act addresses a 2014 Supreme Court decision that limited restitution for victims of child pornography. Under the bill, victims will be able to seek appropriate compensation from any criminal who has possessed or distributed the images, up to the full amount of the victim’s losses. The legislation also offers victims a monetary assistance alternative from the Crime Victims Fund, requires the appointment of a guardian to act on behalf of the victim in court, and allows victims access to the images depicting them — access that defendants already possess.

Toomey is also a cosponsor of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA), a bill which would enable victims of online sex trafficking to pursue legal recourse against websites that have knowingly participated in their exploitation. SESTA currently has 64 bipartisan cosponsors.

Both bills now await final consideration for passage by the U.S. Senate.