[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2914-H2917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1259) recognizing and supporting the goals and 
ideals of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1259

       Whereas, on average, a person is sexually assaulted in the 
     United States every 2\1/2\ minutes;
       Whereas the Department of Justice reports that 203,830 
     people in the United States were sexually assaulted in 2008;
       Whereas 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have been victims of 
     rape or attempted rape;
       Whereas the Department of Defense received 2,908 reports of 
     sexual assault involving members of the Armed Forces in 
     fiscal year 2008, representing an eight percent increase from 
     fiscal 2007;
       Whereas children and young adults are most at risk of 
     sexual assault, as 44 percent

[[Page H2915]]

     of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18, and 80 
     percent are under the age of 30;
       Whereas sexual assault affects women, men, and children of 
     all racial, social, religious, age, ethnic, ability, and 
     economic groups in the United States;
       Whereas women, children, and men suffer multiple types of 
     sexual violence, including but not limited to acquaintance, 
     stranger, spousal, and gang rape, incest, child sexual 
     molestation, forced prostitution, trafficking, forced 
     pornography, ritual abuse, sexual harassment, and stalking;
       Whereas it is estimated that the percentage of completed or 
     attempt rape victimization among women in higher educational 
     institutions may be between 20 and 25 percent over the course 
     of a college career;
       Whereas, in addition to the immediate physical and 
     emotional costs, sexual assault has associated consequences 
     that may include post-traumatic stress disorder, substance 
     abuse, major depression, homelessness, eating disorders, and 
     suicide, among others;
       Whereas only 41 percent of sexual assault victims pursue 
     prosecution by reporting their attack to law enforcement 
     agencies;
       Whereas two-thirds of sexual crimes are committed by 
     persons who are not strangers to the victims;
       Whereas sexual assault survivors suffer emotional scars 
     long after the physical scars have healed;
       Whereas, with recent advances in DNA technology, law 
     enforcement agencies have the potential to identify the 
     rapists in tens of thousands of unsolved rape cases;
       Whereas aggressive prosecution can lead to the 
     incarceration of rapists and therefore prevent them from 
     committing further crimes;
       Whereas national, State, territory, and tribal coalitions, 
     community-based rape crisis centers, and other organizations 
     across the Nation are committed to increasing public 
     awareness of sexual violence and its prevalence, and to 
     eliminating it through prevention and education;
       Whereas important partnerships have been formed among 
     criminal and juvenile justice agencies, health professionals, 
     public health workers, educators, first responders, and 
     victim service providers;
       Whereas free, confidential help is available to all 
     survivors of sexual assault through the National Sexual 
     Assault Hotline, more than 1,000 rape crisis centers across 
     the United States, and other organizations that provide 
     services to assist survivors of sexual assault;
       Whereas, according to a 2010 survey of rape crisis centers 
     by the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, 72 percent 
     of programs have experienced a reduction in funding over the 
     past year, 56 percent have experienced a reduction in 
     staffing, 23 percent currently have a waiting list for 
     services, and funding and staffing cuts have resulted in an 
     overall 50 percent reduction in the provision of 
     institutional advocacy services;
       Whereas individual and collective efforts reflect our dream 
     for a Nation where citizens and organizations actively work 
     to prevent all forms of sexual violence and no sexual assault 
     victim goes unserved or ever feels there is no path to 
     justice; and
       Whereas April is recognized as ``National Sexual Assault 
     Awareness and Prevention Month'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
       (A) National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month 
     provides a special opportunity to educate the people of the 
     United States about sexual violence and to encourage the 
     prevention of sexual assault, the improved treatment of its 
     survivors, and the prosecution of its perpetrators;
       (B) it is appropriate to properly acknowledge the more than 
     20 million men and women who have survived sexual assault in 
     the United States and salute the efforts of survivors, 
     volunteers, and professionals who combat sexual assault;
       (C) national and community organizations and private sector 
     supporters should be recognized and applauded for their work 
     in promoting awareness about sexual assault, providing 
     information and treatment to its survivors, and increasing 
     the number of successful prosecutions of its perpetrators; 
     and
       (D) public safety, law enforcement, and health 
     professionals should be recognized and applauded for their 
     hard work and innovative strategies to increase the 
     percentage of sexual assault cases that result in the 
     prosecution and incarceration of the offenders;
       (2) the House of Representatives strongly recommends 
     national and community organizations, businesses in the 
     private sector, colleges and universities, and the media to 
     promote, through National Sexual Assault Awareness and 
     Prevention Month, awareness of sexual violence and strategies 
     to decrease the incidence of sexual assault; and
       (3) the House of Representatives supports the goals and 
     ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention 
     Month.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1645

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, studies of the prevalence of crime and of 
victimization show that one in six women and one in 33 men will be a 
victim of rape or attempted rape in their lifetimes. On average, a 
person is sexually assaulted in the United States every 2\1/2\ minutes. 
In my home State of Wisconsin, we have learned that nearly 93 percent 
of sexual assault survivors are violated by someone they know and 
trust; tragically, oftentimes as youngsters before they have even 
reached the age of 15.
  Nationwide, we know that children and young adults are most at risk. 
Forty-four percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18, 
and 80 percent are under the age of 30. It is estimated that 20-25 
percent of women attending college are raped or assaulted over the 
course of their college career.
  These statistics are staggering and unconscionable. Yet, as is often 
the case, statistics alone can't adequately convey the urgency of a 
future where no child, no woman, no man is ever sexually violated 
again.
  Last fall I got a chance to hear from a courageous woman from 
Wisconsin who was sexually assaulted in 1993. I will call her Carrie, 
although that is not her real name. Carrie was walking from her home to 
meet her husband at a party in suburban Milwaukee. She was approached 
by three strangers with guns. Madam Speaker, she was raped for 45 
minutes while two guns were held against her. She thought about 
screaming, but she was afraid she would be shot. After the assault, 
Carrie said, I lay there and the first thought that came to my head 
was: I wish they had killed me because this isn't going to go away.
  Fifteen years later, the memories of the assault have not gone away. 
But with incredible personal strength, Carrie has channeled the 
horrendous experience of victimization and subsequent pain and fear 
into an incredibly positive way. She has dedicated herself to creating 
the social change necessary to end sexual violence, and she speaks 
eloquently about the need to support prevention programming and 
services for victims of sexual assault and their families. But maybe 
more importantly, she bravely puts a human face on sexual assault with 
those less familiar with the issue or its consequences.
  Carrie is a neighbor, a daughter, a sister, a wife. And Carrie is a 
reason to fight as long as it takes to keep other women from 
experiencing what she has endured. She is a true survivor and an 
inspiration to me, and should be to all of us.
  Although, like Carrie, most victims are younger women, the effects of 
sexual assault cut across all racial, social, religious, ethnic and 
economic boundaries. Whether the crime is rape, incest, child sexual 
abuse, stalking or sexual harassment, sexual assault impacts 
everywhere: our schools, workplaces, streets and homes. Sexual assault 
is a threat to both public health and public safety, and it requires a 
coordinated response in the form of increased support for prevention, 
education, law enforcement, prosecution, and services provided to 
survivors.
  This year, as our country faces difficult economic times, sexual 
assault service providers are seeing marked increases in reported 
sexual violence for a variety of reasons. Yet according to a 2010 
survey of rape crisis centers by the National Alliance to End Sexual 
Violence, fully 72 percent of sexual assault prevention programs have 
experienced a reduction in funding over the past year; 56 percent have 
experienced a reduction in staffing; 23 percent currently have a 
waiting list for services; and funding and staffing cuts have resulted 
in an overall 50 percent reduction in the provision of institutional 
advocacy services.
  We still have far to go in eradicating the harm inflected in our 
communities by sexual assault. There is a clear and

[[Page H2916]]

significant need for more public education and awareness.
  The National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month does just 
this. Recognized each year in April, this dedicated month provides a 
special opportunity to educate Americans about sexual violence and to 
encourage the prevention of sexual assault, the improved treatment of 
its survivors, and the prosecution of its perpetrators. As part of the 
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we recognize 
national and community organizations as well as private sector 
supporters for their work in promoting awareness about sexual assault, 
and also applaud public safety, law enforcement, and health 
professionals for their hard work and innovative strategies to increase 
the percentage of sexual assault cases that result in the prosecution 
and incarceration of offenders.
  Along with my colleagues, Congressman Ted Poe from Texas and 
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida, I introduced House 
Resolution 1259 to recognize April 2010 as the National Sexual Assault 
Awareness and Prevention Month. By supporting this resolution, we 
highlight the efforts of individuals and agencies that provide rape 
crisis intervention and prevention services. We also call attention to 
sexual violence as a major public health issue and raise awareness of 
the need for increased resources for preventing sexual violence.
  Madam Speaker, I want to extend my thanks to a number of advocates 
for their work on sexual assault prevention, and tireless work to help 
victims cope with the trauma of sexual assault and transition from 
victim to survivor.
  In Wisconsin, we are incredibly lucky to have the Wisconsin Coalition 
Against Sexual Assault working to create the social change necessary to 
end sexual violence. My thanks go to the coalition and their member 
organizations across the State for the important work that they do.
  And finally, I want to extend my sincere thanks to my colleagues, 
Congressman Ted Poe and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for 
their strong support as the lead sponsors of this resolution. Thank you 
for your work and leadership.
  Although we have made significant progress, we still have far to go 
in eradicating the harm inflicted on our communities by sexual assault, 
and I urge all of my colleagues to fully support this resolution 
recognizing National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, today the House considers House Resolution 1259, a 
resolution designating the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness 
Month, and I totally support this important legislation. I want to 
thank the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) for sponsoring this 
bill and bringing it to the attention of Congress again this year. It 
is important that we recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month to bring 
awareness to this tragic crime that occurs throughout the United 
States.
  The goal of the resolution is to raise public awareness and educate 
communities and individuals about sexual assault and sexual violence. 
It encourages the prevention of sexual assault and the improvement of 
treatment of its survivors and the prosecution of perpetrators.
  The numbers tell the story we cannot ignore. On average, a person is 
sexually assaulted in the United States every 2\1/2\ minutes. According 
to the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics, 
individuals age 12 or older experienced an estimated 222,000 rapes or 
sexual assaults in 2008, the last year for which we have data. The Rape 
Abuse Incest National Network, called RAINN, provides statistics about 
incidents of sexual assault in this country. And according to RAINN, 
children and young adults are the greatest risk of sexual assault: 44 
percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18, and 80 
percent are under the age of 30. One in six women and 1 in 33 men are 
victims of rape or attempted rape. And over the course of their 
lifetimes, 18 percent of all women in the United States are raped.
  Thankfully, there are thousands of advocates across the country who 
serve as a bridge to recovery and encourage survivors of sexual assault 
to report the crimes as soon as it occurs. As my friend from Wisconsin 
has pointed out, there are numerous victims groups. I call them the 
victims posse, who are out to help victims of crimes, especially in the 
area of sexual assault, and we commend them for their work in this 
country.
  As we work to empower victims of sexual assault, we also need to 
support the efforts of law enforcement officials to punish sex 
offenders and combat future occurrences. Unfortunately, only 41 percent 
of sexual assault victims report their attacks to law enforcement. We 
must encourage victims to report the crimes so we can aggressively 
prosecute rapists and remove them from our communities. That is why we 
build penitentiaries, to house rapists and people who sexually assault 
children.
  Today's House resolution increases public awareness of sexual assault 
and works to combat it through prevention, education, and punishment. 
As chairman and co-chair of the Victims Rights Caucus, along with my 
friend from California (Mr. Costa) we totally support this legislation.
  I have no further requests for time and am prepared to close.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, as my friend has pointed out, this 
resolution, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the statistics really don't 
tell the story because it is a story about people. Real people. She 
mentioned one from her State of Wisconsin. And there are too many to 
mention and talk about. But I would like to talk about one person that 
impacted my life.
  Before I came to Congress, I spent all of my time at the courthouse 
in Houston, first as a prosecutor and then as a criminal court judge. 
Every day for years, almost 30, I saw criminal cases, either 
prosecuting them or hearing them as a judge.
  One of those cases involved a young lady. I will call her Lisa. Lisa 
was a student at the University of Houston. She was married and had a 
couple of sons. She worked in the daytime and went to school at night 
to get a second degree. She had left school one evening and she was 
driving down one of our freeways heading home out in the suburbs. The 
lights came on on the dash of her car, she had car trouble, and she 
pulled off to a service station she thought was open. It was not open, 
but she thought it was. Lisa talked to the service station attendant, 
turned out he wasn't the service station attendant but she thought he 
was, trying to get some help late at night.
  The first thing that happened, Luke Johnson pulled her out of that 
car. He kidnapped her. He took her to a remote area of east Texas in 
the piney woods. He sexually assaulted her. He beat her so bad with a 
pistol that he thought he had killed her. In fact, when he later was 
arrested, he was mad that he hadn't killed her. Lisa was a remarkable 
woman. She survived that brutal attack even though she laid in the 
woods for a couple of days before a hunter found her. She was rescued. 
Her physical needs were met. The person who committed that crime, Luke 
Johnson, was captured by the police. He was charged with aggravated 
sexual assault. He was tried in my court. Lisa came and testified about 
the events. Luke Johnson was convicted and sent to the penitentiary for 
99 years.
  You see, Madam Speaker, we would hope that would be the rest of story 
and life would go on and victims would recover; but that is not the 
world we live in. Victims are people, and because they are people, 
things happen to them emotionally as well as physically.

                              {time}  1700

  The first thing that happened to Lisa was she didn't go back to 
school; she never went back to that campus again. The next thing that 
happened is she lost her job; she was fired because she could not 
concentrate based upon this crime. Her husband, being the kind of guy 
he was, he decided he no longer wanted her. He filed for divorce, 
divorced her, got custody of the children, and moved to another State.
  Lisa started abusing drugs. First it was alcohol, then it was 
everything else. She couldn't quite handle the fact that she was a 
victim of crime, even

[[Page H2917]]

though the perpetrator was off in the penitentiary. And not too long 
after this crime was committed, I received a phone call from Lisa's 
mother, and she told me that Lisa had taken her life. She left a note, 
Madam Speaker, that I still have in my office today across the street, 
and the note reads, ``I'm tired of running from Luke Johnson in my 
nightmares.''
  See, she got the death penalty for being a victim of sexual assault. 
And we would hope that victims could handle it, that they could move on 
with their life, that they could cope, but that's not the world we 
operate in because they're real people. And we as a Nation need to be 
sensitive to victims of sexual assault. It's the most unusual crime in 
our culture. We can sort of see why people commit theft. We can see 
sometimes why people get mad and in a rage they might even commit a 
murder. But there is no logical reason why anybody would commit the 
crime of sexual assault against another person unless it's an attempt 
to steal the very soul of that person, and that's what criminals are 
trying to do when they commit this crime. That is why it is such a 
horrible crime, and we as a culture must be concerned about it.
  So this resolution helps bring that to the public forum, that Sexual 
Assault Awareness Month is something that we should be, as a people, 
concerned about because victims have rights, too. The same Constitution 
that protects defendants protects victims of crime. And as it has been 
said before, we are not judged by the way we treat the rich, the 
famous, the powerful, the important folks. We're judged by the way we 
treat the innocent, the weak, the victims of crime. That's how we as a 
people will be judged.
  So I commend the gentlelady from Wisconsin for sponsoring this 
resolution. I wholeheartedly support it and I urge its adoption.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I appreciate my cosponsor of this 
legislation for also putting a name, a story, and a face on this very 
consequential matter. Lisa and Carrie from our respective States 
represent many other victims and survivors alike, and it speaks to the 
importance of this resolution. I commend the gentleman for his advocacy 
and ask for support of this resolution.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Titus). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1259.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________