Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) have won RAINN’s 2012 Crime Fighter Award, in recognition of their leadership in the fight against sexual violence.
“The extraordinary leadership demonstrated by Sen. Cornyn, Sen. Bennet and Rep. Poe has helped reduce the number of rapes across the nation and ensured that victims get the help they deserve. They are essential partners to RAINN on Capitol Hill and reliable allies of survivors of this violent crime,” said Scott Berkowitz, president and founder of RAINN. “In particular, their tireless work and bipartisan efforts on behalf of the SAFER Act will bring greater transparency and efficiency to the criminal justice system and help get many perpetrators of the streets.”
“I’m humbled to receive the RAINN Crime Fighter award, and I commend the staff and volunteers at RAINN for the tireless work they do year-round to seek justice for the victims of rape and abuse. I have been proud to work hand-in-hand with RAINN on issues like reducing the unacceptable rape kit backlog, and I look forward to continuing to work together on our shared goals for greater justice for victims nationwide,” Sen. Cornyn said.
“RAINN does excellent and important work helping victims of sexual assault and bringing awareness to a very serious issue,” said Sen. Bennet. “RAINN’s leadership and longtime work on the SAFER Act will help ensure that more rape kits are being tested and criminals are brought to justice. The Crime Fighter award is particularly significant because it represents our work together on these critical issues.”
“I am honored to accept the Congressional Crime Fighter Award from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), one of nation’s most effective victim advocacy organizations. Through the years, RAINN has served victims of some of the most heinous crimes. I look forward to continuing our partnership to bring justice to victims of sexual assault,” said Rep Poe.
Express your support for SAFER by contacting your members of Congress.
RAINN launched the Crime Fighter Awards in 2005 to recognize leaders in the effort to prevent rape and help victims. Previous recipients include Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ).
About RAINN
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of "America's 100 Best Charities" by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,000 local rape crisis centers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. The hotlines have helped more than 1.8 million people since 1994. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. For more information about RAINN, please visit rainn.org.