U.S. Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) have proposed a bipartisan bill that aims to end violence against children by addressing the issue globally.
The members are original cosponsors of the Strengthening Efforts to End Violence Against Children (SEEVAC) Act, H.R. 4798, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA).
The bill would update and strengthen existing U.S. government efforts to end global violence against children, improve interagency coordination in addressing violence, and promote the use of evidence-based strategies and information-gathering capabilities, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“We must do more to protect vulnerable children from being exploited by evil individuals across the world,” said Rep. Salazar. “I am proud to co-lead the SEEVAC Act to help innocent children who are at risk of sexual exploitation, human trafficking, forced child marriages, online abuse, and gender-based violence.”
“It is our duty to protect children from exploitation and violence,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “I am grateful to partner with my colleagues on the bipartisan SEEVAC Act to ensure that appropriate resources are directed to protect vulnerable children at risk of violence around the world.”
If enacted, H.R. 4798 would align current interventions for vulnerable children with the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity Strategy and evidence-based interventions, such as the INSPIRE strategies and Violence Against Children Surveys, the summary says.
Additionally, the measure would require the USAID Special Advisor for Assistance to Orphans and Vulnerable Children position to advise USAID offices, bureaus, and field missions and other U.S. government agencies on tackling violence against children through the current whole-of-government strategy.
The bill also would update USAID reporting requirements to identify how U.S. agencies are utilizing the INSPIRE strategies and findings from Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys, including in response to the effects of COVID-19, states the summary.
“America has played a leading role in developing strategies to reduce and end child violence, and our new bipartisan bill builds on that legacy to help put an end to violence against children once and for all,” said Rep. McGovern.
H.R. 4798 has garnered support from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Fund International, Futures Without Violence, Together For Girls, UNICEF, and World Vision.