Missouri Senator Roy Blunt Visits Joplin

JOPLIN, MO— Missouri Senator Roy Blunt visited the Joplin Children’s Center to assess the needs of child advocates.
“This center is one of the many examples of the good things that the victim of child abuse act has been a part of,” explains Senator Blunt.

His “Victims of Child Abuse Act”, which is being co-sponsored by three other state senators, is designed to increase funding for the 22 childrens’ centers throughout missouri.
“Chiefs of police, to sheriffs, to prosecutors, they’re all very much of the view that these centers– there’s 22 of them in our state– make a real difference in dealing with the victims of child abuse, but also with them dealing with the perpetrators,” says Senator Blunt.

The bill is expected to provide a network in which prosecutors and law enforcement work together to protect the lives of children. But in order for those resources to be sufficient, more money is necessary.
“Those are grant funded positions. What Senator Blunt is proposing, is to continue and maybe even increase the funding that allows those programs to exist. They’re vital for our center and to keep our children safe,” states Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Dean Dankelson.