[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PARITY FOR U.S. TERRITORIES UNDER THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2018

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, the Violence Against Women Act, signed by 
President Clinton 24 years ago today, is a landmark federal law that 
provides critical support to women and children who face domestic 
violence and assault nationwide.
  However, Congress must do more to protect victims and survivors of 
sexual assault and domestic violence, especially in the territories.
  The Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant Program, authorized under 
VAWA, provides funding to support rape crisis centers and assist 
individuals who have been sexually assaulted.
  While each State, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia receive 
1.5 percent of total funding under current law, American Samoa, Guam, 
the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands receive just 
0.25 percent each.
  This disparity is unacceptable, especially considering Guam has one 
of the highest rates of rape per capita in the United States.
  That is why today, I am introducing legislation to double the minimum 
amount of Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant Program funding made 
available to the territories under VAWA.
  My bill builds upon the work of my colleague, Congressman Sablan (D-
MP), who introduced similar legislation (H.R. 840) during the 113th 
Congress.
  This additional funding will provide critical federal resources for 
community programs that provide direct intervention services in cases 
of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and abuse.
  As Congress looks to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, I 
urge my colleagues to include my bill to provide greater parity for 
American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands.
  We must strengthen current laws to ensure that all women across the 
United States feel safe and secure, including women and children of the 
territories.
  I stand ready to support that effort in any way that I can.

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