Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007
SCIENCE, STATE, JUSTICE, COMMERCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 -- (House of Representatives - June 28, 2006)
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Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This amendment, which I offer with Mr. Inslee, would provide $10 million for several newly authorized Violence Against Women Act programs, including $2 million for children exposed to violence, $2 million for youth services and $1 million for the national tribal sex offender registry, as well as $5 million for the Sexual Assault Services Program.
The House last year voted almost unanimously to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which dedicated $50 million for the Sexual Assault Services Program, funding vitally needed. It was the first Federal program to provide direct funding for counseling, legal accompaniment, training for law enforcement, and the prevention and education services that rape victims rely on.
Sexual violence remains a problem in this country. Rape remains the only violent crime to still be on the rise. One out of every six women are raped or sexually assaulted in their lifetimes, more than 200,000 in 2004 alone. Worse, only 36 percent of victims say they reported the crime to the police.
Those most likely to be raped or sexually assaulted are young women between the ages of 16 and 24, women with their whole lives ahead of them. This one act of violence will alter their lives forever. But absent proper treatment and timely counseling, it could destroy any possibility of a healthy life, resulting in depression, addiction, eating disorders and even suicide.
The need to take action is now. When Congress recognized the need to authorize this program, it was one time when we spoke with one voice in this body. While the program was authorized at $50 million, the underlying appropriations bill includes no funding for it whatsoever.
We can take a small step toward following through on a commitment for direct services with this amendment, to get funding where it is needed most, to rape crisis centers.
Let us start to truly make go ahead on this commitment that we made. And by simply redirecting $5 million from the Department of Justice general administration account to this program, we can give these women hope that there are better days ahead.
Let us pass the amendment and let us do it today.
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