Standing up for sexual assault survivors

Wisconsin works to prevent future backlog of sexual assault kits 

It’s no secret that sexual violence is a pervasive problem in our society —  in fact, an American is sexually assaulted every 92 seconds. Adding to this shocking statistic is the stark reality that three out of four sexual assaults go unreported.

Despite this, under current Wisconsin law there is still no clear statutory procedure for the collection and processing of sexual assault kits. Years of failures and a lack of a standard process have resulted in thousands of kits not being submitted to the state crime laboratory for testing, and an egregious backlog.

This April, I worked with Attorney General Kaul and proposed legislation designed to prevent a future backlog of untested sexual assault kits from happening ever again in Wisconsin. Supported by a broad coalition of over 50 legislators, law enforcement, health professionals and advocates, AB214 works to create and codify timelines for the processing, testing and storing of kits that honor the dignity of survivors and provide pathways to justice. 

We have been talking about this issue for too long, and it is so refreshing to see that Wisconsin is now taking nonpartisan and pragmatic action to stand up for survivors. The prevention of backlogs of untested kits is a crucial step in supporting survivors of sexual violence and sends a clear message — that our government recognizes, believes and stands with survivors. Further, this legislation ensures that a procedure is in place that upholds survivors’ dignity, choice and right to a fair and just process.

I am proud to work with my colleagues from the state Legislature, community advocates and Attorney General Kaul to support this legislation, to stand in solidarity with the survivors of past and future instances of sexual violence, and to ensure that survivors are afforded this critical pathway to support, healing and justice.