Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the first Delaware Senator in more than four decades to serve on the critical Appropriations Committee, joined his colleagues on the committee to approve annual appropriations bill Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. This appropriations bill supports numerous programs that Delaware has come to rely on to support and protect exploited children and vulnerable families.
Senator Coons fought for the $21 million appropriation to the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCA) which helps funds Children’s Advocacy Centers in the United States. Delaware has three CACs, one in each county. Delaware’s CAC’s investigate about 250 cases and conduct more than 1,400 interviews a year.
“Senator Coons’ leadership in ensuring the continued funding of the Victims of Child Abuse Act means that Children’s Advocacy Centers in Delaware and across the county continue to have the necessary funding to provide critically important services to child victims of abuse,” said Randall E. Williams, CEO Children's Advocacy Center of Delaware. “Without VOCAA funding we would be forced to reduce the array of services currently provided to child victims in Delaware.”
VOCA is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Major County Sheriffs’ Association, National Criminal Justice Training Center, Major Cities Chiefs’ Association, National Children’s Alliance, National Children’s Advocacy Center, National Center for Victims of Crime, Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York City Police Department, and the National Child Protection Training Center.
Senator Coons also fought for $76 million to fund Missing and Exploited Children programs across the country and in Delaware. A portion of this funding will be dedicated to investing in the technology needed to pace the evolving threat against children and will be used to assist law enforcement in protecting child victims of trafficking and sexual abuse.