Safe From the Start Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Safe from the Start Act of 2019. This bill will reduce incidences of gender-based violence (GBV); ensure quality services for survivors from the very onset of emergencies through timely and effective humanitarian action; and promote standards for prevention, mitigation and response to such crises.

The largest flow of refugees in recorded history are being forced from their home countries and their time spent displaced has increased from years to generations. Climate change continues to spur temporary and permanent displacement, as floods and fires destroy homes and livelihoods.

During times of crisis, GBV increases as chaos and tensions within households and communities grow. An estimated I in 5 women in conflict settings have experienced sexual violence, although numbers are likely higher given the barriers associated with disclosure. GBV is often used by armed actors as an intimidation tactic to exert power and control over the opposing side.

Gaps in services and humanitarian protection frameworks have made it difficult to adequately prevent GBV in humanitarian contexts and mitigate its impact. Humanitarian agencies are often underequipped to address GBV specifically or close gaps between services and accountability that have led directly to GBV, such as the exploitation of women in exchange for supplies by aid workers. To address this, the humanitarian donor community has begun investing in the building standards, guidelines, and capacities of humanitarian actors to better respond to the needs of women and girls in emergencies.

The Safe from the Start Act would support the State Department and USAID's ongoing work to protect and prevent violence against women and girls in humanitarian emergencies by codifying it, and providing Congressional oversight over its implementation.

I want to thank my colleagues, Representatives Chris Stewart, Lois Frankel, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Chrissy Houlahan for leading this bill with me. I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this bill and look forward to its enactment.

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