Republican Senator Marco Rubio has drafted a bill that aims to direct funds to reduce violence against children and women in Central America, making the region a safer place with the aim of reducing the migration that comes from those countries.
“I am proud to present this bipartisan legislation that will provide the necessary resources for women and children who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse and neglect in the Northern Triangle,” Rubio told Efe today, which obtained an exclusive of the law.
The legislation, which Rubio will present today in the Upper House and has the support of Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and Republicans Todd Young and John Cornyn, will increase access by women and children survivors of violence to support services “adequate , appropriate and coordinated. “
For example, it will facilitate access to economic, health, psychological, security, refuge or legal assistance, according to the legislative text.
A corresponding bill was already presented in the House of Representatives in mid-May by the Democrat Norma Torres and the Republican Ann Wagner, and has already been approved by the Foreign Relations Committee of that chamber, prior to the vote in plenary.
With this law, lawmakers want to improve the performance and capacity for action of the officials of the justice system in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, including the police, prosecutors and court personnel.
“By strengthening criminal justice systems and civil protection courts in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, the United States is protecting and empowering the victims of violence in Central America,” argued Rubio, representative in the Senate from Florida.
If approved, this law will authorize the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to establish bilateral agreements with the governments of these Central American countries under the name of “Pacts for the Protection of Women and Children”, worth 10 million dollars per each fiscal year 2020, 2021 and 2022.
After the hypothetical start of this program, the Secretary of State must provide Congress with a report and information sessions for staff on the progress made at the end of each fiscal year. (EFEUSA)
