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Rep. Calvert Reintroduces Legislation Protecting Disabled Americans from Sexual Assault

January 26, 2021

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) reintroduced the Certainty, Assistance, and Relief for Everyone (CARE) Act, H.R. 452. 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.

"We must always make it a priority to protect vulnerable populations, including disabled Americans," said Rep. Calvert. "I have introduced the CARE Act to provide resources addressing domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault against individuals with disabilities. Congress should act now to provide safeguards for some of the most vulnerable Americans."

Authority for these grants, as authorized in the Violence Against Women Act, expired on February 15, 2019. The CARE Act reauthorizes these grants to ensure continuing support for the most vulnerable individuals. Grants can be used for a number of purposes, including:

  • To provide personnel, training, technical assistance, advocacy, intervention, risk reduction designed to prevent 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; and
  • 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.