Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 119.djvu/3012

 119 STAT. 2994

PUBLIC LAW 109–162—JAN. 5, 2006 (A) only 35 percent of these programs offered disability awareness training for their staff; and (B) only 16 percent dedicated a staff member to provide services to women with disabilities. (11) Problems of domestic violence are exacerbated for immigrants when spouses control the immigration status of their family members, and abusers use threats of refusal to file immigration papers and threats to deport spouses and children as powerful tools to prevent battered immigrant women from seeking help, trapping battered immigrant women in violent homes because of fear of deportation. (12) Battered immigrant women who attempt to flee abusive relationships may not have access to bilingual shelters or bilingual professionals, and face restrictions on public or financial assistance. They may also lack assistance of a certified interpreter in court, when reporting complaints to the police or a 9–1–1 operator, or even in acquiring information about their rights and the legal system. (13) More than 500 men and women call the National Domestic Violence Hotline every day to get immediate, informed, and confidential assistance to help deal with family violence. (14) The National Domestic Violence Hotline service is available, toll-free, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, with bilingual staff, access to translators in 150 languages, and a TTY line for the hearing-impaired. (15) With access to over 5,000 shelters and service providers across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides crisis intervention and immediately connects callers with sources of help in their local community. (16) Approximately 60 percent of the callers indicate that calling the Hotline is their first attempt to address a domestic violence situation and that they have not called the police or any other support services. (17) Between 2000 and 2003, there was a 27 percent increase in call volume at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. (18) Improving technology infrastructure at the National Domestic Violence Hotline and training advocates, volunteers, and other staff on upgraded technology will drastically increase the Hotline’s ability to answer more calls quickly and effectively.

SEC. 202. SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROGRAM.

Part T of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 2012, as added by this Act, the following: 42 USC 3796gg–9.

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07:21 Oct 30, 2006

‘‘SEC. 2014. SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES.

‘‘(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this section are— ‘‘(1) to assist States, Indian tribes, and territories in providing intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, support services, and related assistance for— ‘‘(A) adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault; ‘‘(B) family and household members of such victims; and

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