[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9655-9658]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE WITH RESPECT TO RAISING AWARENESS AND 
                ENCOURAGING PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 289) expressing the sense of the House 
of Representatives with respect to raising awareness and encouraging 
prevention of sexual assault in the United States and supporting the 
goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention 
Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 289

       Whereas, on average, a person is sexually assaulted in the 
     United States every two-and-a-half minutes;
       Whereas the Department of Justice reports that 191,670 
     people in the United States were sexually assaulted in 2005;
       Whereas 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have been victims of 
     rape or attempted rape;
       Whereas children and young adults are most at risk, as 44 
     percent 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, and economic 
     groups in the United States;
       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 prevention education programs carried out by rape 
     crisis and women's health centers have the potential to 
     reduce the prevalence of sexual assault in their communities;
       Whereas because of 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 incarcerate rapists and 
     therefore prevent them from committing further crimes;
       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 the rate of sexual assaults has decreased by half 
     in the last decade; 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 
     20,000,000 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;
       (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 gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. 
Capito) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

[[Page 9656]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, H. Res. 289 recognizes April as National Sexual 
Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The purpose of National Sexual 
Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is to increase the public's 
awareness and understanding about sexual violence in our society in 
order to encourage and support prevention of sexual assault.
  The United States has the highest rate of any country publishing such 
statistics. A person is sexually assaulted in the United States every 
2\1/2\ minutes. The National Institute of Justice estimates that over 
300,000 women and 90,000 men are forcibly raped each year in the United 
States; but according to the American Medical Association, these 
numbers are lower than national incidents of rape or attempted rape.
  Approximately 17.7 million American women and 2.8 American men have 
been victims of rape or attempted rape at some point during their 
lives, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics. That equates to 
one in every six women and one in every 33 men. The National Center for 
Victims of Crime indicate that among women who have been raped, 39 
percent have been raped more than once. Most victims are children or 
young adults. Some 44 percent of sexual assault victims are under the 
age of 18; 80 percent are under the age of 30.
  There are no significant differences in the rate of sexual assault 
among racial and ethnic groups, as sexual assault affects all 
populations roughly equally, though its impact is felt 
disproportionately by those least able to protect themselves. For 
example, persons with disabilities are estimated to be one and a half 
to five times more at risk of sexual assault than the general 
population. Between one-third and two-thirds of known sexual assault 
victims are age 15 or younger, according to a 2000 study by Population 
Reports, and women age 16 to 25 are three times more likely to be raped 
than those of higher age groups, according to the Bureau of Justice 
statistics. Also, the studies indicate that those in extreme poverty 
are twice as likely to be victimized as other women.
  Most sexual assaults are not committed by strangers. Studies show 
that 70 percent of victims know their attackers, and this contributes 
to the underreporting of sexual assault. At the same time, studies show 
that 90 percent of those who knew their attackers did not report the 
crime. The study also found that most sexual assaults occur in the 
victim's home or that of a friend, relative, or acquaintance.
  The consequences of sexual assault for victims are enormous and go 
well beyond physical effects. One-third of victims suffer from post-
traumatic stress disorder, according to the National Victims Center; 
one-third seriously consider suicide; 13 percent actually attempt 
suicide.
  The roots of sexual assault violence are cultural. A 1991 study by 
the Jacqueline White and John Humphrey study found that 56 percent of 
high school girls and 76 percent of high school boys thought that 
forcible sex was acceptable under some circumstances. Some 51 percent 
of boys and 41 percent of girls thought that certain circumstances 
included when a boy ``spent a lot of money on the girl.'' Thirty-one 
percent of boys and 32 percent of girls thought that forced sex was 
acceptable when women had had past sexual experiences. Eighty-seven 
percent of boys and 79 percent of girls thought it was acceptable when 
a man and woman were married. Sixty-five percent of boys, 47 percent of 
girls thought it acceptable if a boy and a girl had been dating for 
more than 6 months.
  So, Madam Speaker, it is easy to see where there is need to focus 
much of our awareness and prevention efforts.
  Sexual assault is a threat to the public health and public safety. It 
demands a coordinated response in the form of awareness, prevention, 
aggressive prosecution and service provision. The National Sexual 
Violence Resource Center, a project of the Pennsylvania Coalition 
Against Rape, estimates that there are 1,400 community crisis centers 
providing services to victims of sexual assault across the country. 
Such efforts have made a difference. Over the past decade, we have 
reduced the rate of rapes and attempted rapes by half. Yet at half, our 
highest level, we are still the highest rate of sexual assault in the 
world. So much more needs to be done to further address the scourge in 
our society.
  So, Madam Speaker, as we observe National Sexual Assault Awareness 
and Prevention Month, it is our hope that a month of intensified 
awareness efforts combined with a broad spectrum of sexual violence 
prevention work throughout the year will bring us closer to ending and 
eradicating sexual assault in our society. Accordingly, I urge my 
colleagues to support the resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 289, which is intended to 
raise awareness of the problem of sexual assault in the United States 
and encourage ways to prevent it.
  The statistics outlined in the resolution speak for themselves and 
are nothing less than horrific. A person is sexually assaulted in the 
United States every 2\1/2\ minutes. Children and young adults are the 
most at risk. Forty-four percent of sexual assault victims are under 
the age of 18.
  The emotional and physical scars from sexual assaults exact a 
terrible toll on our loved ones, our families, our communities, and our 
country. In my view, we can and we must do better. We have made 
important strides in this battle. We have expanded the use of DNA to 
solve sexual assault crimes, reduced the backlog in the testing of rape 
cases, and solved more sexual assault crimes, and ensuring that those 
who commit these heinous offense are put behind bars.
  Last year, we passed the Adam Walsh Act to protect our children from 
sexual predators. Over 100,000 sex offenders were lost or unaccounted 
for by the States. The Adam Walsh Act will fix that problem and make 
sure that sex offenders are registered, that the public is aware of sex 
offenders in their communities, and help parents protect their 
children.
  In my home State of West Virginia, domestic violence complaints have 
increased 400 percent since 1989. More and more, victims are feeling 
empowered to approach law enforcement officers with these problems. 
Although we all would like to see an end to domestic violence, it is a 
good step that more and more victims are reporting the crimes committed 
against them, allowing the perpetrators to be tried for their crimes. 
We must continue to work with victims, helping them come forward with 
their complaints. This can often be a difficult task, especially when 
the person committing the crime is a spouse, companion or family 
member, which is sadly often the case.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution recognizes the important role that 
awareness and prevention can play in reducing the incidence of sexual 
assault. The crime of sexual assault is so hurtful and so tragic, we 
must redouble our efforts and make sure that we use every tool at our 
disposal to protect everyone from this horrible crime. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the author of the resolution, my distinguished colleague 
from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from 
Virginia for yielding to me.
  As the sponsor of this legislation, I also want to thank the 
Democratic leadership for bringing it to the floor, because, Madam 
Speaker, sexual violence is an epidemic in this country, it is a threat 
to our public health and our public safety that demands our attention. 
One in six women and one in 33

[[Page 9657]]

men in the United States will be sexually assaulted during their 
lifetime. This is the highest rate of any country publishing statistics 
on sexual assault. A woman is raped in this country every 2\1/2\ 
minutes. We must do more to stop that. Responding to sexual assault 
must start with prevention.
  The roots of sexual violence are cultural. A study of American high 
school students found that the majority of girls and three-quarters of 
boys thought that forced sex was acceptable under some circumstances, 
including when a woman had had past sexual experiences or when a boy 
spent a lot of money on the girl. Statistics like this make it 
tragically unsurprising that 70 percent of assaults are perpetrated by 
someone that is known by the victim.

                              {time}  1515

  Fifty-five percent of rapes, the majority of rapes, occur in the home 
of the victim or a friend, relative or acquaintance.
  We must begin with prevention, because the consequences of sexual 
violence are so severe and because it is a crime whose impact is felt 
disproportionately by those least able to protect themselves: the 
young, the disabled, the impoverished. In addition to suffering the 
physical effects of these terrible acts of violence, a third of victims 
suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, a third seriously consider 
suicide, and 13 percent actually attempt it. While we hope and work for 
a day when sexual violence might be eradicated completely from our 
society, we must also deal with the consequences of these crimes, 
working to provide assistance to victims and aggressively prosecuting 
offenders.
  National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is dedicated 
to increasing the public's understanding about sexual violence in our 
society. This effort can help communities support rape and sexual 
assault survivors, victims and their families, as well as the 
individuals and agencies that provide rape crisis intervention and 
prevention services throughout the year.
  More than 1,000 rape crisis centers nationwide educate their 
communities about the prevention of sexual violence and provide 
services to victims. In Virginia, for example, these centers serve 
approximately 3,000 victims of rape every year. In my district, the 
SARA Program at the Alexandria Office on Women supports survivors 
throughout their healing process, through hotline counseling and 
support groups and innovative programs like ``Living Out Loud,'' a 
performing arts program for survivors of sexual violence looking to 
find new joy in life after recovering from rape or sexual assault. The 
person who founded that is an inspiration to everyone and brings back 
lives that have been so profoundly and adversely affected by this 
experience.
  Madam Speaker, National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month 
is a chance for us to pause and consider the enormity of the impact of 
these crimes on our society and the status of our efforts to end it. I 
commend these public health, social services, and law enforcement 
professionals working in our communities to respond to sexual violence 
and those educators and advocates working to prevent it, and I 
encourage my colleagues to stand with us in rededicating ourselves to 
efforts to end these crimes on our streets, in our schools and in our 
lives.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I would like to close with a strong 
statement that this resolution recognizes the important role of 
awareness in prevention of sexual assault in this country. It is a 
scourge on our Nation, it is a scourge on our young people, our women 
and other victims, and I urge all Members to join together to pass this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume just to thank my colleague from Virginia for introducing 
the resolution and to urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 289, to raise awareness and encourage prevention of sexual assault 
in the United States and support the goals and ideals of National 
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
  Violence against women--rape, sexual assault and domestic violence--
affects women worldwide. Violence not only affects women in the home, 
but in the workplace, school and every arena of life. Having served as 
Johnson Country District Attorney for 12 years, I know first hand the 
devastating consequences of domestic and sexual violence, assault, rape 
and child abuse and incest. Those experiences encouraged me to become a 
cofounder of SAFEHOME, a local shelter for survivors of sexual assault 
and domestic violence, and highlighted the importance of public 
awareness, effective prevention policies and law enforcement working 
hand in hand to stop these horrific crimes.
  Sexual assault is an epidemic that knows no boundaries on the basis 
of age, socioeconomic status, race, religion, nationality or 
educational background. My home State of Kansas is no exception. In 
2005, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported over 1,000 reported 
incidents of rape. And that number cannot possibly reflect the harsh 
reality of how many incidents occurred but were not reported. The 
tragedy of injustice exacerbates the victimization.
  A person is sexually assaulted in the United States every two-and-a-
half minutes; 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have been victims of rape or 
attempted rape.
  Sexual Assault Awareness Month is essential to bring attention to 
this problem, educate the public, and help protect survivors from 
future victimization and prevent the continuation of the cycle of 
violence from generation to generation. Protecting and helping 
survivors, as well as creating an environment where survivors can seek 
justice, is the key to removing sex offenders from public, so that they 
do not have the opportunity to assault again.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 289, in support of the goals 
and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, 
to support programs to help survivors heal and prevent incidents in the 
future.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Res. 289, which expresses the ``sense of the House of 
Representatives with respect to raising awareness and encouraging 
prevention of sexual assault in the United States and supporting the 
goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention 
Month.
  I was the lead Democratic sponsor of the original legislation, 
introduced by former Representative Mark Green and signed into law in 
2003, that designated April as National Sexual Assault Awareness and 
Prevention Month.
  While we are taking the time today to highlight this important issue, 
it is important that we remember that preventing sexual assault should 
be a top priority during each month of the year. We must also remember 
that violence against women is not just a women's issue, it is a men's 
issue, too.
  Every 2\1/2\ minutes, someone in the United States is sexually 
assaulted. I have long been a champion of increased efforts to prevent 
violence against women and in 2004, legislation that I first 
introduced, ``The Debbie Smith Act,'' was signed into law. Through this 
landmark act, we have the ability to protect our daughters, our 
sisters, and our friends by putting rapists behind bars through DNA 
evidence. We know that DNA evidence is better than a fresh set of 
fingerprints. And we know that it is often better than eyewitness 
testimony. With ``The Debbie Smith Act,'' the hundreds of thousands of 
rape kits that were gathering dust across the country are finally being 
processed.
  It is vitally important that we support the Violence Against Women 
Act by fully funding the important programs that will help women escape 
abusive and dangerous situations and begin new lives that are free from 
violence and fear. The organizations, shelters, and counseling centers 
that are on the front lines of this problem need our steadfast 
commitment that they will have the resources to continue their 
important work.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 289.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.

[[Page 9658]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________