Congress Approves $90,000 for Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $90,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s sexual violence expert witness training program in the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill.   The bill, which was included in legislation that passed the Senate today, now heads to the President to be signed into law.

“The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault has been a longtime advocate for survivors throughout the State, spearheading programs to prevent and respond to sexual violence,” said Senator Collins.  “As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this funding, which will support the incredible work being done by the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault.”

“Training prosecutors and civil attorneys to effectively use expert witnesses in court cases involving child and adult sexual assault is an essential tool to educate judges and jurors about the common characteristics of sexual violence.  It is also vitally important in supporting survivors who are coming forward and sharing their story publicly to seek justice and increase community safety,” said Melissa Martin, Public Policy and Legal Director at Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault will use this funding to facilitate a training program for expert witnesses and attorneys so that they can better serve victims of sexual violence in Maine.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending.  Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023.  As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.  

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