Letter: Grateful for action

Dear Editor,

Earlier this year, Sen. John Barrasso joined 15 other U.S. Senators and 72 House colleagues, including Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis, on a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry regarding the widespread problem of child sexual assault in Guatemala. 

Victims of sexual assault in Guatemala stand a mere 6 percent chance of ever seeing their case reach a verdict; one major obstacle is the lack of investigative capacity on the part of the Guatemalan police.

This bi-partisan letter expressed support for US investment in the Guatemalan police’s specialized unit to combat sexual assault so they could more effectively tackle the crime. 

Last week, Congress finally came to an agreement on the omnibus 2015 spending bill, which not only kept the federal government open, but also allocated $3 million for the Guatemalan police’s Sexual Crimes Unit. I am confident that this investment will help protect children from violent assault and put their perpetrators behind bars.

Wyoming voters can be proud that Sen. Barrasso and Congresswoman Lummis have shown such leadership in the fight to protect children from sexual assault around the world.

I, for one, am deeply grateful.

Daniel De Cecco

Green River

 

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