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Sexual and violent crimes against women

Martha R Gore's photo
Watchdog Politics Examiner

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Women's rights groups are calling on the Obama-Biden administration to make prevention and protection of women from sexual assault a priority.

The latest National Crime Victimization Survey says that 248,300 individuals were raped or sexually assaulted in 2007, up from 190,600 in 2005 when the last survey was conducted. Human Rights Watch is also currently investigating and monitoring the criminal justice response to sexual violence. 

HRW's investigation includes the backlog of untested DNA evidence collected in rape cases in the U.S. It recommended that the Debbie Smith Act, a grant program designed to eliminate the rape kit backlog, be amended to allow the use of DNA that was collected for other purposes to be used in rape cases. 

 The Act itself (H.R. 5057) was introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and co-sponsored by House Judiciary Commitee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith(R-TX) in July 2008.

 The legislation was to expire at the end of the fiscal year in 2009 but the reauthorization bill will now extend the program until 2014.

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, Watchdog Politics Examiner

Martha R. Gore, a freelance writer specializing in national politics, will write about the American political scene in concise, easy to comprehend language. She holds a Master of Library Science Degree and is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists.

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