Marjorie Taylor Greene has joined a growing number of conservative figures in the US expressing concerns about the risk of child grooming in the United States. The Georgia congresswoman ignited a heated debate after taking aim at Walmart after constituents flagged sex toys had been put on display “right next to children’s toothbrushes” in a store in Dalton. Writing on her Twitter account, the MAGA Republican said: “Selling sex toys openly where children are exposed to them is wrong, inappropriate, immoral, indecent, perverted, shameful, and incredibly harmful to children.
“@Walmart many of your customers in my district are reaching out to me about sex toys being sold in your Dalton store.
“They’re extremely upset and absolutely horrified that sex toys are being sold openly right next to children’s toothbrushes! This is grooming.”
The Republican House Representative for Georgia’s 14th district added: “I sincerely hope this is not common product placement in your stores and that the employees responsible will be reprimanded.”
A statement from Walmart in response said: “The placement of the product was a mistake and was promptly corrected at the store.”
READ MORE: Greene erupts in furious 25-Tweet tongue-lashing at ‘reckless’ Republicans in Speaker row
Conservative figures in the United States have been fretting about rising child grooming rates for months.
Child grooming is building an emotional connection with a minor under the age of consent over a prolonged period to facilitate manipulation, exploitation and/or abuse.
Ms Greene has long been linking the widespread availability of sex toys at every day retailers with grooming.
Speaking at a New York Young Republican’s gala earlier this month, the Georgia representative said: “You can pick up a butt plug or a dildo at Target and CVS nowadays.
The Bureau said over 3,000 minors were targeted online over the past year as it urged parents to pay particular attention to their children while using their laptops and other devices during the winter break.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said: “The FBI has seen a horrific increase in reports of financial sextortion schemes targeting minor boys—and the fact is that the many victims who are afraid to come forward are not even included in those numbers.
“The FBI is here for victims, but we also need parents and caregivers to work with us to prevent this crime before it happens and help children come forward if it does.
“Victims may feel like there is no way out—it is up to all of us to reassure them that they are not in trouble, there is hope, and they are not alone.”
