Ayotte Applauds Signing of Bipartisan Bill to Protect Victims of Child Abuse
Press Release
Victims of Child Abuse Act reauthorizes grant programs that support child advocacy centers
President Obama recently signed into law bipartisan legislation backed by U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) to protect child victims of violent crimes and help law enforcement officials hold perpetrators fully accountable. The Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA) reauthorizes important grant programs that support federal child advocacy centers (CACs), which coordinate investigation, treatment, and support prosecution of child abuse cases. Senator Ayotte is a cosponsor of the bill, which was introduced by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Chris Coons (D-DE).
"New Hampshire's child advocacy centers provide a safe environment and critical services to children and families in crisis," said Senator Ayotte, a former prosecutor who has worked extensively with victims. "This important legislation will provide continued support for CACs across the country, and better enable law enforcement to bring the perpetrators of this horrific abuse to justice."
The VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013 increases federal support for CACs for the first time since VOCAA was first enacted in 1990. CACs employ multi-disciplinary teams of specially trained professionals to interview child abuse victims in a safe, supportive environment; assist with child abuse investigations; and provide care and services to child victims. The bill also includes enhanced accountability measures to ensure victims' assistance funds are properly allocated, non-profit requirements, and limitations on conference expenditures.
While serving as New Hampshire's attorney general, Ayotte led efforts at the state level to protect children from abuse. She was instrumental in passing legislation at the state level that recognized the important role CACs play in interviewing victims and helping children abused by sexual exploitation, and established a state-level board to provide oversight and support for New Hampshire's CACs. Ayotte also worked with law enforcement and child advocates to toughen criminal penalties for individuals who use the Internet to commit crimes against children.
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