SA Kit reform Call to Action - October 13th, 2020
Sexual assault kit reform language and funding are in Special Session #5 House File 42 and Senate File 7!!! Although they are not companion bills, both bills contain SAK reform language and funding.
CALL TO ACTION:
Please reach out to your GOP House Representative *today* and ask them to SUPPORT sexual assault kit reform funding in the supplemental budget bill
Use this tool to find your Representative
What is this reform and why do we need it?
1. Centralized storage and a tracking system are overdue and essential.
When someone is sexually assaulted and chooses to seek medical care, they have the right to a sexual assault exam. This exam gathers evidence that can be used for investigation and prosecution, but a sexual assault kit (or SAK) is not just a collection of evidence. Each SAK represents a victim/survivor who experienced a life changing trauma and then went through a comprehensive 4-6 hour sexual assault exam.
Survivors of sexual violence deserve to know what is happening with their SAK. It is crucial that Minnesota law support all survivors who choose to engage with the criminal justice system. Ensuring that victims/survivors are able to seek justice when a crime is committed should be a legislative priority.
2. Centralized storage and a kit tracking system will increase accountability and help identify disparities in our criminal justice system.
Centralized storage at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and a kit tracking system will increase law enforcement transparency and accountability in Minnesota and ensure our ability to track, inventory, and audit SAKs.
In 2018, the legislature recognized a survivor’s right to know the date their SAK was submitted to the lab, the date the agency received notice of the results, and whether a DNA profile was obtained. However, this information is difficult to obtain because Minnesota does not have a tracking system for kits.
The same legislation requires law enforcement and prosecution to document why any SAK that is not tested. However, this data is not collected. Unless Minnesota chooses to test all unrestricted SAKs, this data is crucial to understanding these decisions and identifying potential biases that lead to some kits being tested while others are not.
A tracking system and centralized storage will help to ensure that Minnesota law supports the rights of all victims/survivors.
3. Legislators can be fiscally responsible during COVID-19 while also prioritizing justice for victims/survivors in Minnesota.
Tracking, storage, and testing of all unrestricted kits are all essential; centralized storage and tracking are relatively inexpensive yet significant steps that would support survivor access and enable Minnesota to consistently and effectively track, inventory, and audit sexual assault kits statewide.