Crapo Given Lifetime Achievement Award for Work to Stop Domestic Violence

Washington, D.C. - A Washington, D.C.,-based advocacy group working to stop domestic violence against women and children has given Idaho Senator Mike Crapo its first-ever WEAVE Lifetime Commitment Award.  WEAVE is an acronym for the group, Washington Empowered Against Violence.  WEAVE provides legal and counseling services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence and sexual assault.  Last year, the group assisted 600 survivors of violent acts in the D.C. area.

"While I am honored to receive this recognition from WEAVE, it is the dedicated staff and volunteers not only here in Washington, but in Idaho and across the country, who deserve recognition for the hard work they perform and the lives they save and help put back together," Crapo said.  "Unfortunately, domestic violence and teen dating violence is a growing issue and has resulted in a record number of deaths this past year in Idaho.  I again encourage those who witness violence and related behavior to do what they can to help stop it."

Crapo recently joined with Idaho law enforcement, education and health care professionals, and leaders from the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence on the Idaho Statehouse steps to announce federal legislation that, if approved, will expand teen dating violence awareness programs in schools.  The funding comes from existing programs on drug and alcohol awareness.

"One in three teenagers in our country is a victim of physical or emotional abuse in a dating relationship," Crapo said.  "We hope that legislation like the Stop Abuse for Every Teen Act (SAFE Teen Act) will better incorporate violence prevention into our school safety programs.  Together, we can work to develop policies and efforts that support prevention and promote healthy relationships."

Crapo worked with a consortium of local leaders to help fund the FACES Center in downtown Boise, a one-stop center for response, treatment and counseling for victims of domestic violence.  He also spearheaded the passage of the nation's first law extending federal assistance to victims of dating violence and has fought on an annual basis to maintain funding for assistance under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  Those services are paid for with dollars from the perpetrators of crime, but are often the target of efforts to shift them into other Congressional budgets.