AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted Tuesday to enact legislation sponsored by Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, that would provide funding to integrate trained clinical staff into sexual assault support centers to ensure the highest quality of care.
An estimated one in five Mainers will experience sexual assault at some point in their lifetime, which can lead to serious psychological, physical and emotional trauma.
"Many survivors try to seek mental health support after experiencing sexual assault but face barriers to adequate services," said Stover. "This bill would ensure that survivors have a coordinated team of both clinicians and advocates supporting them and providing essential mental health care."
LD 816, as amended, would fund mental health care positions at each of the state's seven sexual assault centers. Providers would be trained to deal with the mental health needs of survivors of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual violence and trauma.
The bill faces further votes in the Senate.
Rep. Holly Stover is serving her third term in the Maine House and represents Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, South Bristol, Southport and Westport Island. She is House chair of the Legislature's State and Local Government Committee and serves as a member of the Joint Select Committee on Housing.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Stover], c. 305-965-2744