John honored for her efforts to help sexual assault victims

The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault has recognized Assemblymember Susan John (D-Rochester/Chili/Wheatland) for her work in the Assembly to help sexual assault and domestic violence victims rebuild their lives.

"Sexual assault and domestic violence are heinous crimes that have long-term effects on victims," John said. "They need our help to recover and move forward with their lives."

Assemblymember John has sponsored measures to:

• reimburse hospitals performing medical examinations on sexual assault survivors directly from the Crime Victims' Board so survivors don't have to bear the initial cost of these examinations (A.7306);
• ensure domestic violence victims get time off from work for necessary medical or counseling services without worrying about losing their jobs (A.2072);
• ensure that emergency contraceptives and counseling are available to women who seek emergency treatment for sexual assault in hospitals (A.2214); and
• strengthen New York's sexual assault laws by making information in the sex offender registry available statewide on the police information network - helping police keep track of the whereabouts of dangerous offenders (A.2220).

These measures are part of Assemblymember John's continuing efforts to help make New York state safer for families. She sponsored a law to strengthen Megan's Law by preventing sex offenders from seeking refuge in New York state (Ch. 11 of 2002). This law requires that registered sex offenders from other states also register here when they enter the state to work or attend school.

To offer protection from dangerous stalkers, John sponsored a law imposing prison terms of up to seven years for violent offenders and makes repeated harassment a crime, even if there is no violence (Ch. 635 of 1999). She also helped pass a law making it easier to prosecute and convict child sex offenders and increasing the penalties for these heinous crimes (Ch. 122 of 1996). To help people protect themselves from muggings and other assault crimes, John also supported a law to legalize self-defense sprays (Ch. 354 of 1996).