[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2009

  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, as a former judge who has had the 
misfortune of observing the life-shattering effects of crimes of sexual 
violence on the victims as well as their friends and families, I rise 
today to highlight the importance of the National Sexual Assault 
Hotline programs in supporting the victims in their recovery from these 
terrible crimes. An estimated 1 in 6 women will become a victim of 
sexual assault or rape in her lifetime; and the FBI ranks rape as the 
second most violent crime (second only to murder, which is classified 
as the most violent crime).
  According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which conducts an 
annual crime survey of the nation's households, we have made some 
progress in the fight to end sexual and domestic violence over the last 
two decades. But statistics also suggest that we still have much work 
to do: at least 200,000 Americans are sexually assaulted each and every 
year, and only about 40 percent of rape victims ever come forward and 
report the attacks against them to the authorities, according to DOJ.
  Research suggests that those who receive crisis intervention support 
and counseling services are more likely to cooperate with law 
enforcement in pressing charges against their attackers. That is why it 
is so important that we continue to support programs, such as the 
National Sexual Assault Hotline programs, which help ensure that rape 
victims (as well as their friends and family members) can receive the 
information and support services that are so vitally important in one's 
full recovery from an assault. The National Sexual Assault Hotline, 
accessible toll free around the clock at 800-656-HOPE, has helped more 
than 1.2 million callers since the Rape, Abuse & Incest National 
Network (RAINN) created the telephone hotline in 1994. RAINN continues 
to operate this telephone hotline today, in partnership with close to 
1,100 affiliated rape crisis centers located in every state and the 
District of Columbia, as well as thousands of volunteers across the 
nation.
  In 2006, RAINN also launched the National Sexual Assault Online 
Hotline, accessible at www.RAINN.org, which has helped close to 30,000 
people since its inception. It is the first web-based hotline of its 
kind for rape victims, offering information and support to those who 
might be reluctant to pick up the telephone and dial for help. The 
online hotline, which RAINN created and operates with the assistance of 
staff at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and volunteers located 
around the nation, is designed to reach additional populations 
(particularly teenagers, males, and even people living in rural, 
sparsely populated areas) who might not otherwise seek out necessary 
information and support.
  Our colleagues in the Senate specifically recommended $300,000 for 
RAINN to carry out the National Sexual Assault Hotline programs, which 
are federally authorized under Section 628 of the Adam Walsh Child 
Protection and Safety Act, in fiscal year 2010. Appropriations leaders 
in this chamber, however, omitted to include a specific amount of 
funding for RAINN in the House version of the fiscal year 2010 
Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 
(H.R. 2847).
  I will note, however, that the full House Appropriations Committee, 
during its consideration of H.R. 2847, did approve report language that 
is directed specifically at RAINN. This language, which is part of 
House Report 111-149, calls on the U.S. Department of Justice to 
continue supporting programs, including hotline programs, that 
facilitate the delivery of confidential recovery services to rape 
victims. The inclusion of this committee report language is 
significant, as it signals Congress' intention that victims of sexual 
violence should continue to be able to access the National Sexual 
Assault Hotline programs and the other programs that Congress has 
authorized RAINN to carry out, with the support of the Office of 
Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank the members of the Appropriations 
Committee for accepting this report language, at the request of myself, 
Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, and other members of this chamber. I 
also want to express my interest in continuing to work with the House 
and Senate leadership on a final version of the Commerce, Justice 
Appropriations Act that will ensure that RAINN receives the level of 
federal support that is necessary to continue operation of the National 
Sexual Assault Hotline programs in fiscal year 2010.

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