McConnell awarded “Crime Fighter Award” for work to protect women from violence

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was awarded the Crime Fighter Award this evening by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), in recognition of his work and commitment to combat sexual violence. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) also received the award.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this award and I thank RAINN for its support. I look forward to continuing to work with them on behalf of the Kentuckians I represent in the United States Senate,” Senator Mitch McConnell said. “RAINN does incredibly important work by providing critical outreach to those who feel like they have nowhere else to turn. RAINN is doing far more than just assisting the victims of sexual violence. It’s helping to turn back the tide of sexual violence and ensuring that those who perpetrate these terrible crimes are brought to justice.”

"Sen. McConnell's partnership with RAINN has been essential on Capitol Hill. His extraordinary leadership, hard work and bipartisan efforts have led to a significant reduction in sexual violence and to safer communities in Kentucky and across America. Recently, Sen. McConnell co-sponsored S.822, the Justice for All Reauthorization Act. This bill renews the Debbie Smith Act and will help crime labs working to end the backlog of untested DNA evidence from unsolved rape cases and put rapists behind bars. Sen. McConnell also stood with us to pass the SAFER Act, which will be enormously helpful in eliminating the DNA evidence backlog. We thank Sen. McConnell for his leadership and his extraordinary efforts to enact laws that help victims of sexual violence and take predators off the streets,” said Scott Berkowitz, RAINN president & founder.

As the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, RAINN helps prevent sexual violence, assists victims, and ensures that rapists are brought to justice. RAINN established and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,100 rape crisis centers across the country, including more than a dozen across Kentucky.

Upon accepting the award, Senator McConnell made the following remarks (as prepared):

“Thank you all very much for this award. I’m deeply honored to receive it.

“You do incredibly important work. And you know the challenges we continue to face when it comes to sexual assault in this country.

“The statistics tell the story. Roughly 20 million people in this country have been the victims of sexual assault. An assault occurs every two minutes. And 97% of rapists will never spend a single day behind bars.

“That’s why organizations like RAINN have never been more important. The hotlines you operate, the outreach you conduct, the programs you develop. You are truly providing hope to the hopeless. To those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.

“And through its advocacy, RAINN is doing far more than just assisting the victims of sexual violence. It’s helping to turn back the tide of sexual violence – and to ensure that those who perpetrate these terrible crimes are brought to justice.

“And let me also say this: you’ve been an indispensable legislative partner to those of us who share these goals. Working together, we’ve helped move the conversation forward in Washington. And we’ve seen results.

“Last year, we fought together to reduce the unacceptable backlog for DNA testing and to get more criminals off the streets. And much of what we’ve fought for has since become law. But there’s a lot more to be done.

“Our next challenge is to pass the Justice for All Act, a bill I’m proud to co-sponsor.

“It’s critical that we provide crime labs with the resources they need to eliminate backlogs and speed up investigations. And we absolutely need to renew and strengthen the Debbie Smith Act, as Justice for All would do.

“I was honored to meet with Debbie a few months ago. What an incredible woman. You know her story: a wife and mother who was viciously attacked, then victimized again as she waited years for justice. Debbie has since become a strong advocate for those who suffer terrible abuse. She fights so others won’t have to. And it’s fitting that such an important piece of legislation would carry her name.

“So thank you again for your tremendously important work, and for the honor of this award.

“As the father of three daughters, this fight is a personal one for me.

“And while it’s true that we’ve made some strides against sexual assault in recent years, we can’t let up.

“We owe it not just to our daughters, but to our sons, our friends, our neighbors…and the millions of Americans who suffer the torment of sexual violence. They deserve hope, and they deserve justice.

“This is an issue Members of Congress should work across the aisle to address – because, working together, we can give them both. Thank you.”

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