RALEIGH, Wake County — NC Attorney General Josh Stein and Congresswoman Deborah Ross shared updates on federal and state efforts to support victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

“Survivors of sexual assault deserve our best efforts to deliver them justice,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “That means supporting them from the moment they submit themselves to a sexual assault examination, testing their kits, and helping law enforcement officers and prosecutors hold offenders accountable. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Ross for her efforts and the work of so many advocates and survivors in North Carolina to help victims heal and become survivors.”

“We owe it to survivors who have endured unspeakable trauma to ensure they receive the care they deserve and are able to seek justice in court,” said Congresswoman Ross. “My legislation authorizes $30 million per year dedicated to the training and retention of sexual assault nurses here in North Carolina and beyond. I’m incredibly grateful for partners like Attorney General Stein, who has made this a priority in North Carolina.”

Last month, President Biden signed into law the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Congresswoman Ross has been a champion of the reauthorization of VAWA, which makes vital improvements to programs and laws dealing with gender-based violence and addresses gaps in current laws.

Attorney General Stein and Congresswoman Ross are also working to end the shortage of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE nurses) in North Carolina and across the nation.

Attorney General Stein recently announced a new program in partnership with the Southern Regional Area Health Education Center to train 50 North Carolina nurses in hospitals across the state to serve as SANEs by the end of the summer.