Urgent: MNCASA Sexual Assault Kit Reform
Unspoken Voices Update
Kit Reform is a Must – Reach Out to Make a Difference - update from kilomarie granda
MNCASA has been working hard to pass sexual assault kit reform. The legislative session ends Monday and this is our final push to try to prompt some movement. Please make calls if you are able, and feel free to share within your own networks.
Note: The bill numbers are confusing. There are stand-alone (companion) bills in both the house and senate. But the house public safety omnibus bill – House File 2711 (as amended) – includes the sexual assault kit reform language.
CONTACT: Click each name for contact info. Suggested talking points below.
To Senators: “Please support sexual assault kit reform by adopting the sexual assault kit reform language in House File 2711 (as amended).”
· Majority Leader Paul Gazelka
· Assistant Majority Leader Warren Limmer
· Your senator (Click thru to identify your senator)
To House Representatives: “Thank you for continuing to prioritize victims/survivors by supporting sexual assault kit reform.”
· Majority Leader Ryan Winkler
Talking Points – very brief:
1. Victims/survivors should be a priority now,
2. Sexual assault kit reform is urgent and essential, and
3. Legislators can be fiscally responsible during COVID-19 while also prioritizing justice for victims/survivors in Minnesota.
Talking Points – more detail:
1. Justice for victims/survivors should be a priority now.
COVID-19 has increased risk factors for sexual violence. The need for sexual assault kit reform is just as urgent as it was when this legislation was first introduced—and possibly even more so. Ensuring that victims/survivors are able to seek justice when a crime is committed should be a legislative priority this session.
2. Centralized storage and a tracking system are urgent and essential reforms.
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 survivors who choose to engage with the criminal justice system.
Why Minnesota Needs Centralized Storage of Restricted and Unrestricted SAKs:
· Federal best practices call for law enforcement or laboratories to be responsible for the long-term storage of all SAKs.
· Centralized storage at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will allow Minnesota to consistently and effectively track, inventory, and audit SAKs.
Why Minnesota Needs A Tracking System for Restricted and Unrestricted 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.
3. Legislators can be fiscally responsible during COVID-19 while also prioritizing justice for victims/survivors in Minnesota.
Tracking, storage, and testing of kits are all essential, but 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.
Thank you for your support!