CRAPO SEES CONSENSUS ON ABUSE, CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Washington, DC - Prospects for funding to continue critical programs to fight domestic violence and provide for child protection and crime prevention have improved for the coming year, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo, who has been a national leader in ongoing efforts against family and domestic violence in Congress, has partnered with a bipartisan group of Senators seeking ongoing funding for programs, like the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. "It is appropriate to discuss the funding for programs under the Adam Walsh Act as Congress has designated April to be National Child Abuse Prevention Month," Crapo said. "Of course, Idahoans have also seen the dangers and the human costs left by the damage of violent sexual predators right here in our own state. "For more than a decade, VAWA has directed comprehensive federal funding to programs that provide crisis intervention, prevention, education and rehabilitation services to victims and perpetrators of family and domestic violence of any gender," said Crapo. "I strongly support VAWA and its programs that work to reduce and eliminate sexual violence and abuse in Idaho and across the nation." The Adam Walsh Act, named for a young man murdered by a sexual predator, finds and tracks sex offenders and strengthens the penalties facing convicted child molesters. It includes funding for the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) that operates a national rape crisis hotline and provides funding to fifteen rape crisis centers across Idaho. It also includes funding for the Crime Prevention Campaign, which supports the familiar McGruff the Crime Dog and Neighborhood Watch Programs, to name a few. The Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA) contains funding for private and public response and Child Advocacy Centers, located in Idaho in Boise, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Nampa and Coeur d'Alene. Current statistics indicate that once every three minutes a child in Idaho is abused; funding for these critical rescue and resource centers must be maintained. Crapo and several Senators are seeking renewed funding for VAWA, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, and the Victims of Child Abuse Act. The Adam Walsh Act, passed in 2006, incorporated funding for RAINN and the Crime Prevention Campaign and funds Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Police Athletic League programs, electronic monitoring of sex offenders, juvenile treatment and other programs. The requests came in formal letters to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee.Crapo also noted the funding contained for the National Crime Prevention Council under the Adam Walsh legislation is directly responsible for fighting crime at the neighborhood level. The Council will sponsor the Treasure Valley Neighborhood Watch Summit scheduled for April 21st, at Meridian's Marriot Courtyard Hotel, 1789 S. Eagle Road, from 8:00 to 3:15 p.m. The workshop is designed to bring together neighborhood watch and home owner association leaders with local law enforcement officials and others to discuss ways to prevent crime at the neighborhood level.Crapo, the author of teen dating violence prevention legislation in Congress, is recognized as a congressional leader by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Center for Victims of Crimes, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and others.