Big changes are happening.
The Senate recently passed legislation to establish basic rights for sexual assault survivors which many have long been fighting for. If passed into law by The House of Representatives, it will be incredibly helpful for survivors to navigate their way through the criminal justice and medical systems in the United States.
The bill was authored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen with input from Amanda Nguyen, a sexual assault survivor who has faced her own obstacles with the criminal justice system.
Currently, it is extremely difficult for sexual assault survivors to seek justice for their cases. It is a strenuous process for the survivor which requires in-person follow-ups in order to make sure the rape kit (DNA evidence gathered from a forensic exam) test results aren’t disposed of — some states dispose of them after six months which can jeopardize evidence needed to convict rapists. Additionally, many states leave most of the responsibility on the survivor and some even require survivors to pay for their own rape kit test.
However, the basic rights below in this new legislation will make it easier for survivors to seek justice:
1. The right to have a sexual assault evidence collection kit preserved for the entire relevant statute of limitations.
2. The right to be notified in writing 60 days prior to the destruction of a sexual assault evidence collection kit.
3. The right to request further preservation of a sexual assault evidence collection kit.
4. The right to be informed of important results of a sexual assault forensic examination.
Shaheen noted in a Medium post that nearly 70% of sexual assault victims don’t report their rape or press charges against their rapist. She also stated, “The system failed Amanda, and so many other survivors across the country, but Congress can begin to reform it. The goal of my legislation is to change the culture around how sexual assault survivors are treated as they pursue justice.”
If this bill is passed, it will further encourage sexual assault victims to report their cases and obtain justice on their rapists.
What are your thoughts on the legislation? Let us know in the comments below.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
