U.S. Reps. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) this week signed on as original cosponsors of a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA) of 1990.
H.R. 7419, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), would provide funding to Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) to help victims of child abuse and bolster law enforcement response to hold perpetrators accountable, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“So many child abuse victims are left without sufficient care and support at one of the most vulnerable and difficult times in their lives. The perpetrators of these horrific abuses too often go free, compounding the trauma experienced by victims,” said Rep. Wagner. “That’s why I worked with a bipartisan group in Congress to provide essential funding to victims of child abuse and ensure they have the support they need.
“We must work to prevent these abuses in the future and hold accountable the criminals who have hurt so many.” the congresswoman said.
Rep. Fitzpatrick pointed out that CACs across the country, including the more than 40 CACs in his home state of Pennsylvania, work to protect children and provide critical assistance and services to victims of child abuse.
“Congress must act now to reauthorize VOCAA so that our law enforcement agencies have the resources required to bring perpetrators to justice and to ensure that CACs can continue their work providing child victims in our communities with the hope and crucial, life-saving services they need and deserve,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
H.R. 7419 is the companion bill to the bipartisan Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, S. 3975, introduced on March 31 by U.S. Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) in the U.S. Senate.
The bill is endorsed by numerous groups and organizations, including the National Children’s Alliance, the National Children’s Advocacy Center, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National District Attorneys Association, and the National Association of Police Organizations, among many others.