{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=29f3f766-8000-400a-ad4a-47b409b64d69", "Senator Blunt, Colleagues Introduce Bill To Support Advocacy Centers For Child Abuse Victims", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Roy Blunt", "B000575", "www.blunt.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Chris Coons (Del.), co-chairs of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, and U.S. Senators Jeff Sessions (Ala.) and Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday to reauthorize the \u201cVictims of Child Abuse Act\u201d (VOCAA), which provides funding for Children\u2019s Advocacy Centers that serve child victims of violent crimes and help law enforcement hold perpetrators accountable. Though the success of these federal-state and public-private partnerships have earned them broad bipartisan support, Congressional authorization for Children\u2019s Advocacy Centers lapsed in 2005, and most recently the President\u2019s proposed budgets for 2013 and 2014 have zeroed out federal funding. The VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013 would restore funding for Children\u2019s Advocacy Centers and strengthen oversight of this critical program. \u201cThere are 22 Child Advocacy Centers located in Missouri, which serve around 7,000 of our state\u2019s most vulnerable children each year by coordinating the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases,\u201d Blunt said. \u201cThis bill allows Child Advocacy Centers in Missouri and across the country to continue to provide a safe haven for child abuse victims and helps law enforcement hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.\u201d Background on the Bill:  Children\u2019s Advocacy Centers employ a multi-disciplinary team of trained professionals to conduct forensic interviews of children who have been victims of abuse. These interviews are designed to be admissible in court, preventing children from being re-traumatized by having to tell their stories multiple times. The VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013 would increase authorization levels for Children\u2019s Advocacy Centers for the first time since the VOCAA was enacted in 1990. Acknowledging current fiscal constraints, this moderate increase, from $20 million to $22.5 million, is still below an amount that would keep pace with inflation and population growth. The reauthorization would also strengthen the programs through enhanced accountability provisions, non-profit requirements and limitations on conference expenditures. Missouri Supporters: Vince Hillyer, President and CEO, Great Circle, Columbia, Mo.: \u201cWe support this act as we are accountable for high standards and best practices to provide services that best meet the needs of children who are victims of child abuse. As Great Circle moves towards a trauma-informed practice, the Child Advocacy Centers are the first step in helping addressing the tremendous trauma that children suffer when they are victims of sexual abuse. The work that the Child Advocacy Centers provide establish the foundation for the investigation of the trauma at one site, establishes findings of the victim\u2019s investigation and networks with the next step in healing, to agencies like Great Circle.\u201d Jan Stock, Executive Director, Rainbow House Child Advocacy Center, Columbia, Mo.: \u201cThis Act has provided a voice for abused children across our nation. Acknowledgement of abuses against children has prompted research on the impact of abuse, treatment modalities have been developed that most effectively deal with the trauma, prevention strategies continue to evolve, and there is now more awareness of the signs and symptoms so that entire communities are able to do their part.\u201d Joyce Estes, Executive Director, Northwest Missouri Children's Advocacy Center: \u201cAs the Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center in St. Joseph, I can testify as to how important this is. Every year we see more and more children here for forensic interviews and for trauma focused therapy for child victims of sexual abuse. Any increase in funding will be appreciated.\u201d Kim Inman Williams, MA Executive Director Beacon Health Center/ SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence: \u201cIn 2012, Beacon/NASV served approximately 700 children through sexual/physical assault exams, forensic interviews, victim advocacy, mental health counseling and case management. Funding through our VOCA grant each year is imperative for the continuation of such programs in the 10 county areas served by our three locations. These services help to assure timely intervention in an affordable and accessible manner. As an agency and as individuals supporting the mission of protecting the children of Missouri, we fully support [Senator Blunt\u2019s] efforts at gaining reauthorization of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.\u201d\u00a0  Barbara Brown-Johnson, Executive Director, Child Advocacy Center, Inc., Springfield, Mo.: \u201cAs an agency whose only client is abused children, we are keenly aware of the need for the Victim of Child Abuse Act funds\u2026. The Department of Justice, as well as others, has invested in evaluation research on the impact of this CAC model, and the findings have been consistent \u2013 improved services for children while eliminating unnecessary duplication of services, proof that this public-private partnership works.\u201d Eric Zahnd, Platte County, Mo. Prosecuting Attorney: \u201cIn my opinion, Child Advocacy Centers are among the most important organizations serving to protect children. My office works with our local CAC on a regular basis. Without their expertise in cases we prosecute, many child predators would not be behind bars today. It would be extremely beneficial to the children of our nation for Senator Blunt to reauthorize the act.\u201d Mark Richardson, Cole County, Mo. Prosecuting Attorney: \u201c[Child Advocacy Centers\u2019] interviews of child victims conducted by trained forensic interviewers have made it much easier for law enforcement investigators, juries and judges to find the truth in child assault and sexual assault cases.\u00a0 As a result, there is a higher rate of conviction and sentences of imprisonment for the most vile criminals who prey on our most defenseless citizens \u2013 our children.\u201d  Christopher K. Limbaugh, Cape Girardeau County, Mo. Prosecuting Attorney: \u201cChild victims are the most vulnerable of the population. While many victims of crime are subject to traumatic offenses, children suffer more so given that the offenses committed against them occur during the formative years of their lives. The programs supported by the Victims of Child Abuse Reauthorization Act are a vital tool in the investigation of offenses against children and essential to the successful prosecution of those perpetrators. The Reauthorization of this Act, sponsored by Senator Blunt, will continue to provide law enforcement personnel and child advocates resources to put those who prey on children in prison and off Missouri streets.\u201d Andy Anderson, Boone County, Mo. Sheriff's Dept. Cyber Crimes Task Force Coordinator: \u201cChild advocacy centers in Missouri and around the country must be funded to maintain the professional standard we now enjoy. We owe it to the children and families who have become victims of such horrific crimes to make the investigative process professional and compassionate as possible. I have been investigating crimes against children for 26 years so I started way before child advocacy centers were available. I understand the difficulties victims faced during investigations before they were established. We have come too far to take a backward step now. Child advocacy centers help investigators conduct a better investigation and serve the children well by reducing the number of their interviews and provide them a safe child friendly environment where they can get through a very difficult task.\u201d John Jordan, Sheriff, Cape Girardeau County, Mo.: \u201cI fully support Senator Blunt in his effort to secure funding in the Victims of Child Abuse Reauthorization Act of 2013. This is a noble and very much needed program that has and will continue to protect countless children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse. Being able to have safe environments for children who have been victimized, is paramount to their future physical and mental healing. I commend Senator Blunt for his support of this important legislation.\u201d\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://www.blunt.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=29f3f766-8000-400a-ad4a-47b409b64d69"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5274891629815102, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}