HERO Project

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) HERO Project will use their 2009 Congressionally Selected Award to increase adult awareness of child sexual abuse issues and encourage reporting of suspected cases through a multi-media public awareness campaign. PCAR will conduct a HERO media campaign throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which will include radio and television PSAs, a link on radio station web sites, and an ad on Pennlive.com, a Pennsylvania-specific news and information web site. PCAR will also distribute HERO Community packets to Pennsylvania's rape crisis centers and adult visitors to the HERO Project website. The overall goal of the project is to significantly increase community awareness of child sexual abuse and to educate more adults on the role that they can play in child sexual abuse prevention.

NCA/NCF