Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-1) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) introduced H.R. 2889, The Assaults on Water and Aviation Reporting Enforcement (AWARE) Act, a bill that would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to collect statistics on sexual assaults that occur on modes of transportation under federal jurisdiction, including airplanes and ships. There is currently no centralized system for collecting sexual assault reports from airlines and cruise ship operating companies, and no standardized training for flight attendants in handling sexual assault incidents. 

Upon introducing the legislation, Congressman Rick Crawford released the following statement:

“Sadly, sexual assaults that occur on modes of travel, like cruise ships and airplanes, are often unnoticed due to the unique and discreet circumstances in which they occur. While having the FBI numerically track these incidents will not put an end to them, knowledge enables law enforcement and the public to be aware so they can play their roles in combatting them. As we begin the summer travel season, I hope we can pass H.R. 2889 and move closer toward preventing these terrible acts.”

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton released the following statement:

 “Gathering the necessary data on sexual assaults on transportation regulated by the federal government is the first step in dealing with this epidemic. Travelers are often alone and vulnerable to these attacks, and we cannot sit by as attacks go unreported. Congress needs hard data and facts so that we can move quickly to eliminate these assaults.”