Rep. Calvert Introduces Legislation to Protect Disabled Americans from Sexual Assault

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) introduced the Certainty, Assistance, and Relief for Everyone (CARE) Act, H.R. 5547. The legislation reauthorizes grant programs for eligible entities to provide training, consultation, and information on domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault against individuals with disabilities.

"I came across an NPR article that found that intellectually disabled people are seven times more likely to be sexually assaulted," said Rep. Calvert. "It is absolutely shocking and disturbing that these individuals are targeted so often and I wholeheartedly believe we must do more to protect them. That is why I am introducing the CARE Act, which will provide vital assistance to our most vulnerable populations."

Authority for these grants, as authorized in the Violence Against Women Act, is currently set to expire at the end of 2018. Grants reauthorized by the CARE Act can be used for a number of purposes, including:

• To provide personnel, training, technical assistance, advocacy, intervention, risk reduction (including using evidence-based indicators to assess the risk of domestic and dating violence homicide) and prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault against disabled individuals;
• To conduct outreach activities to ensure that disabled individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault receive appropriate assistance;
• To conduct cross-training for victim service organizations, governmental agencies, courts, law enforcement, and nonprofit nongovernmental organizations serving individuals with disabilities about risk reduction, intervention, prevention and the nature of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault for disabled individuals;
• To provide technical assistance to modify existing policies, protocols, and procedures to ensure equal access to the services, programs, and activities of victim service providers for disabled individuals;
• To provide training and technical assistance on the requirements of shelters and victim service providers under federal antidiscrimination laws;
• To modify facilities, purchase equipment, and provide personnel so that shelters and victim service organizations can accommodate the needs of disabled individuals;
• To provide advocacy and intervention services for disabled individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault; or
• To develop model programs providing advocacy and intervention services within organizations serving disabled individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

The bill also includes a requirement that the Attorney General submit to Congress a report regarding best practices to address the disproportionally high incidence of sexual assault against individuals with disabilities.

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