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Congressman Boyle Introduces Legislation to Aid Sexual Assault Victims

October 31, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-13) introduced legislation to facilitate better access to funding for victims of sexual assault. The Removing Barriers to Sexual Assault Victims' Compensation Act is a revenue-neutral bill that would require states to remove time limits for establishing eligibility to receive compensation owed under existing law, which exist in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Pennsylvania has a two year time limit under current law.

"For many victims of sexual assault, stepping out of the shadows and reporting the crime is traumatic enough," said Congressman Boyle. "On top of this, the evidence kits for many victims lay untested on the shelves of police labs for years on end before any justice is ever achieved. Meanwhile, victims are forced to lose work hours in order to attend doctor's visits and tend to legal matters; medical bills rack up and lost wages can turn into lost jobs.

"Fortunately, a reserve of funds exists for states to compensate sexual assault victims for their lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses related to their assault. This funding is crucial for victims who otherwise might not be able to make ends meet through no fault of their own. However, there are unnecessary roadblocks and time limitations placed upon these victims seeking the compensation they are owed. We need to make it easier for these victims to achieve justice, regain their footing and return to society – not harder. As we conclude Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am fighting make sure that victims of sexual assault are not burdened even further by the system that is supposed to help them cope with the trauma of these crimes."

Congressman Boyle has been a dedicated advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence throughout his tenure in state and federal office. As a Pennsylvania State Representative, he introduced and passed the SAFER PA Act, which requires timely testing of DNA evidence kits and reporting of backlogged and untested evidence. In Congress, he is a leader in the fight to fully fund the DOJ's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, which provides grant funding to improve state and local capacity for kit testing and enable better investigation and prosecution of sexual crimes.

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