Little noticed in the unusual Saturday session, the Debbie Smith bill passed the US Senate. The Justice for All Act of 2004 (H.R. 5107), previously passed by the House, incorporates the Debbie Smith Act, the Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act (H.R. 3214) and includes the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act (S. 152). The measure authorizes more than $7.55 billion in grants over a period of five years to local and state authorities to process a backlog of more than 300,000 rape kits and other sexual assault evidence, and DNA samples in cases where suspects have yet to be identified.
“I am thrilled that this legislation will finally become the law of the land,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), who worked for more than two years for passage of the Debbie Smith Act. “With the use of DNA technology, we will ensure that rapists are thrown in jail and the innocent are not wrongly imprisoned. Debbie Smith waited six long years to learn that her rapist was already in prison. Now, other victims will not have to wait for justice.”
“We have an opportunity and an obligation to do more and to make the connection between the extraordinary advances in DNA technology and our commitment to fighting violence against women,” said Senator Joseph Biden, (D-DE) in his comments about the DNA Sexual Assault Act he sponsored that is now included as part of this Act. “This bill will help law enforcement officials take justice off the shelf and put more criminals behind bars.”
If signed into law by the President, this Act will also have a significant impact on the rights of victims of federal crimes, including reasonable protection from the accused and timely and accurate notice of any public proceeding involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused. Additional funding of $22 million over the next five years is authorized for Victim/Witness Programs to carry out the provisions of the Act, and grants will be made available to organizations that provide legal counsel and support services to crime victims.
5/22/2013 Immigration Reform Bill Advances In Senate - Last night, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a sweeping immigration reform bill in a bipartisan vote of 13 to 5. . . .
5/22/2013 Afghan Women Arrested for 'Moral Crimes' Increases 50% - A new report by the Human Rights Watch shows that in the past 18 months the number of women in Afghanistan incarcerated for 'moral crimes' has increased from 400 to 600, a 50% growth.
Many of the women imprisoned for moral crimes were arrested running away from forced or abusive marriages and families, even though there is no law against leaving. . . .
5/22/2013 Army Commander Suspended for Adultery Amid Wave of Sexual Assaults - On Tuesday, Brigadier General Bryan T Roberts was suspended from his position as commander of the Fort Jackson, South Carolina training camp which trains approximately 60% of incoming female recruits pending an investigation into allegations of adultery.
Roberts was suspended following allegations of "adultery and a physical altercation." Colonel Christian Kubik, an Army spokesperson for the Training and Doctrine Command, told reporters "We don't have any evidence of any sexual assault. . . .
