Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, as we consider the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, reauthorization, I offer an amendment to allow for a demonstration program that will issue grants to promote trauma-informed training for law enforcement and other personnel. The amendment is substantially similar to the Abby Honold Act, which has been led by bipartisan Minnesota Members of Congress. The amendment does not authorize new appropriations, but merely enables existing funds to be used for training that ultimately could save lives and help find the perpetrators of an assault. The amendment aims to help victims of sexual crimes, in addition to those who have experienced other forms of trauma, by improving the care and treatment they receive after the event. Specifically, the amendment will create a voluntary grant program to train law enforcement agencies in evidence-based, trauma-informed interview techniques to prevent retraumatization of victims, improve communication between victims and law enforcement, and ensure accurate and complete information is submitted to law enforcement. The amendment and bill is in honor of Abby Honold, who attended the University of Minnesota. Abby was the victim of rape, but I know her as one of the bravest people I have ever met for being able to publicly share her story and fight for changes to the law that will help countless Americans.…”