On March 12, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution (S. Res. 309) designating the week of March 14, 2004, as “National Safe Place Week.” Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) sponsored the resolution.
According to the resolution, “Youth need a safe haven from various negative influences such as child abuse, substance abuse and crime, and they need to have resources readily available to assist them when faced with circumstances that compromise their safety.” The resolution states that the Safe Place Program is committed to protecting youth by offering short-term “safe places” at neighborhood locations where trained volunteers counsel and advise youth seeking guidance. The resolution also notes that since the program was established, 68,000 young people have gone to Safe Place locations when faced with crisis situations. Finally, the resolution declares, “Increased awareness of the program’s existence will encourage communities to establish Safe Places for the Nation’s youth throughout the country.”
