State Sen. Dan Debicella, R‑21, has been named “Legislator Of The Year” by the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians for helping to pass a new state law to train to front-line health care professionals in collecting medical evidence in sexual assault cases.
“Victims of rape or sexual assault have the right to expect that law enforcement officials and the courts have access to the evidence they need to convict their attackers, and health care professionals who are on front lines treating sexual assault victims need the right training to collect this medical evidence. Even during this difficult economic time, it was important to pass this law and get the funding to create this training program. I am honored to receive this award,” Debicella said.
The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (S.A.F.E.) program provides specially-trained nurses that treat victims of rape or sexual assault when they arrive at the hospital immediately after the crime. Rape victims are not only treated for injuries on the scene, but the SAFE staff is able to document the physical damage from the rape. Most importantly, forensic evidence (e.g., DNA) can be gathered on the scene to provide physical proof of the rapist’s identity for use in court trials.
Debicella added that $1 million in funding would come from the federal stimulus package, and would fund the program for the first two years.
He thanked Gov. M. Jodi Rell for her support in obtaining the money.
Securing passage of legislation to establish the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners’ Program (SAFE) was among the top priorities of the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians this year. In granting the award, the Emergency Physicians cited Senator Debicella’s instrumental role in attracting bipartisan support and helping to secure the stimulus funding to establish the program.
State Sen. Jonathan Harris, D‑West Hartford also received the legislator of the year award for working with Senator Debicella on the Public Health Committee.
