Lifetime TV Presents Movie on Life of Debbie Smith

Lifetime TV Presents Movie on Life of Debbie Smith

Anti-Rape Bill Named After Her Is Expected to Put Thousands of Rapists Behind Bars

NEW YORK, April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Saturday, April 28th, at 9:00 pm, Lifetime Television will air "A Life Interrupted," a movie based on the life of Debbie Smith, rape survivor and namesake of the Debbie Smith Act, which Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) authored and helped usher into law.

After hearing Smith testify on the importance of DNA evidence at the Government Reform Committee hearing in 2001, Maloney named her anti-rape legislation after Smith and they worked closely to pass the bill.

The act directs the Attorney General to account for untested DNA evidence kits, authorizes funding to eliminate backlog of DNA kits, establish and maintain sexual assault nurse examiner programs and train law enforcement and prosecutors to handle DNA evidence and use it in courtrooms.

In 1989, Debbie Smith was raped near her home. For six and a half years, she lived in fear of her attacker returning to kill her. Only when Debbie's husband told her that her rapist, identified by DNA, was already in prison, could Debbie live without fear.

"Debbie Smith overcame a terrible act of violence and found the courage to help change the law of our land for the better," said Maloney.

Lifetime calls "A Life Interrupted" "a powerful drama inspired by the true story of a shy Virginia housewife, Debbie Smith, who survives a brutal attack in her own backyard to become the voice, face, and name behind the most effective anti-rape legislation in American history."

Lea Thompson, who portrays Debbie in the film, said "it was a very powerful and emotional experience to speak the words that Debbie Smith actually spoke in front of Congress. I hope this movie will continue to raise support for her cause."

H.R. 2874, the Debbie Smith Act, garnered 160 bipartisan cosponsors and authorized $410,000,000, over three years, for processing backlogged DNA evidence and training Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. H.R. 1046 expanded upon the original legislation, authorizing funding for the issuance of "John Doe" indictments in federal sexual assault cases and training law enforcement and prosecutors in handling DNA evidence. This legislation passed the House in October 2004 by a vote of 393-14. The Senate unanimously passed the legislation three days later, and President Bush signed the bill into law on November 1, 2004.

Source: George Arzt Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: George Arzt, of George Arzt Communications, Inc.,
+1-212-608-0333

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