Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with a news
release from the Media Office of the Attorney General Bill McCollum on . . .
------------------------
Attorney General Recognized for Support of Florida Council Against Sexual
Violence
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV)
recognized Attorney General Bill McCollum today for his support of the
Council’s mission, specifically for advocating legislation last year which
brought Florida into compliance with the 2005 Violence Against Women Act.
The Attorney General was presented with the Elizabeth Knake Outstanding
Victim Advocate Award. Elizabeth Knake was one of the founders of FCASV in
1986.
“Victims of crime deserve the full support of our state and every available
resource to help them recover, and I’m honored to have been part of this
effort,” said Attorney General McCollum. “One of the most important charges
of my office is ensuring that crime victims have the assistance they need
to heal.”
“General McCollum has inspired us with his passionate advocacy on behalf of
exploited children, victims of sexual assault and all victims of crime.”
said Jennifer Dritt, Executive Director of the Florida Council Against
Sexual Violence.
The Federal Violence Against Women Act required states to allow victims of
sexual violence to obtain a forensic sexual assault exam and have the cost
of the exam billed to the Victims Compensation Program without requiring
the victim to report the assault to law enforcement.
Florida’s legislation, which passed last year as HB 989, allows a victim
advocate to bepresent – at the victim’s request – during a forensic
medical exam. Additionally, it requires the court to order specified
defendants to undergo a HIV test within 48 hours after the victim requests
such testing. The legislation also raises the amount paid by the Attorney
General's Crime Victims Compensation Fund for the forensic exam from $250
to $500.
Attorney General McCollum worked with bill sponsors Senator Mike Fasano
(R-New Port Richey) and Representative William Snyder (R-Stuart) to add
language to the legislation which allows Floridians who are victimized by a
violent crime while traveling abroad to be eligible for compensation under
the Attorney General's Crime Victims Compensation Fund. This benefit is
essential for those who are unable to obtain appropriate medical and other
emergency services while overseas.
The Attorney General was also recognized for supporting a $400,000
allocation from the Victims Compensation Trust Fund to the Council. The
funds will be distributed to certified rape crisis centers and will help
fund services provided to sexual assault victims. Without the funding,
services at some of the centers would have been severely impacted.
Additional legislation developed in part by the Attorney General, which was
signed into law this week by the Governor, allows Florida victims of child
pornography the opportunity to be heard in court and to be compensated for
the crimes committed against them by the continued distribution of images
of their sexual abuse. While victims have those rights in federal court,
there is no similar law in any other state. The Council noted that through
his work to protect exploited children and to ensure that perpetrators of
child pornography are vigorously prosecuted, the Attorney General has made
significant progress toward protecting the innocent children of Florida.
Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
June 19, 2008
---------------------
Evelyn out.
