Jim Costa: “As a co-chair of the Victims' Rights Caucus, along with Congressman Ted Poe, we have over 70 members, bipartisan, to…”

“As a co-chair of the Victims' Rights Caucus, along with Congressman Ted Poe, we have over 70 members, bipartisan, to focus on protecting victims of crime. We also try to ensure that we protect the VOCA funding that goes for very worthwhile efforts for organizations throughout the country and to recognize and honor every year those who stand out on behalf of victims of crime. I want to commend the chairman and the ranking member for advancing this legislation, as well as my Senate colleagues, because there is a companion piece of legislation that is attempting to address this horrible issue in which you have so often young athletes--Olympic- caliber athletes--some who actually have participated in the Olympics, who, at a very young age, find themselves victims of these horrific crimes, through no fault of their own. Sexual assault, in any form, is a horrible crime and it leaves lasting damage to its victims. Sadly, some victims of assault are children who may be incapable of truly understanding what is happening to them at the time. However, years later, when this poor child comes to understand what happened, they are faced with the reality that someone who is supposed to be looking after their well-being actually betrayed them. This leaves real and very lasting damage that can take decades, if not years, for the person to deal with.…”