Policy News

July 2006 — On July 20, 2006, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined his colleague, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), in introducing a resolution expressing support for the National Sexual Assault Hotline. S. Res. 537 commends those who staff the Hotline for helping one million callers over the last 12 years. Former Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), who served as Senate Majority Leader during the 109th Congress

August 2006 — RAINN this month urged the U.S. Attorney General to support $50 million in funding for the new Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP), which is being considered for inclusion in the administration's fiscal year 2008 budget. By making a federal funding stream available for direct services to sexual assault victims, SASP would give rape crisis centers and their partners, the state coalitions against sexual assault, better tools to help sexual assault victims.

July 2006 — In 2006, RAINN helped pass legislation that enhances penalties for child sexual abuse and tightens the registration requirements for sex offenders. The final version of this legislation, now known as the Adam Walsh Child Safety and Protection Act (H.R. 4472), passed both houses of Congress. President George W. Bush signed it into law in July 2006.