Friday marks the end of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time when communities across the nation come together in recognition and support of violent crime survivors. Although it’s the last Friday in April—which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month—the occasion can feel conflicting for sexual assault survivors as some states do not formally recognize their trauma.
For example, Indiana’s Victim Compensation Program, which was established in 1978, works to financially cover certain expenses incurred as a result of a violent crime. Previously, survivors were not eligible for compensation unless they reported the crime and cooperated with law enforcement—quite a hurdle given data that shows less than a quarter of sexual assault survivors report the crime. Effective July 1, 2022, however, changes made to the legislation will allow compensation for victims who have had a forensic exam—regardless of if they report the crime.
In a general sense, this expanded legislation reflects a shifting of the time that has brought greater attention to the nation’s sexual assault epidemic. In 2014, the federal government identified a nationwide backlog of 400,000 rape kits, including many from the 1990s when evidence was collected but not tested for DNA. Thanks to legislation, federal funding and the commitment of police departments and forensic laboratories, that number has significantly decreased. In fact, 17 U.S. states do not currently have any backlog of sexual assault kits.
In recognition of the end of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, let’s take a look at some recent sexual assault news and investigations.
Sexual Assault Cold Case Units
In mid-April, investigator Winston Hunt of the Durham Police Department (North Carolina) made an arrest in a 17-year-old cold case in which a woman was raped and beaten in her home. Lately we’ve seen more and more cases like this where sexual assault victims get justice after many years. What’s special about this case is Hunt is one of two Durham investigators solely devoted to solving cold case sexual assaults—a trend that is increasing across police departments.
Modern DNA advancements, including forensic genetic genealogy, have revolutionized what were once thought to be unsolvable sexual assaults—and police departments are seizing the opportunity. At the end of last year, for example, detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit (also in North Carolina) identified the suspect responsible for at least 15 cases from the 1990s—and used genetic genealogy to do it. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit began in 2006 and is responsible for clearing nearly 400 cases. The unit is funded through various grants, including the federal Sexual Assault Initiative Grant (SAKI).
Similarly, the Akron Police Department’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Unit, which began in February 2019, has arrested more than 10 suspects in 15 separate cases. In January 2021, they received funds to use over the three years specifically for genetic genealogy testing of approximately 20 cases per year. The funding will allow investigators to apply a targeted and prioritized approach toward identifying dangerous, unknown sexual assault offenders, starting with 15 existing John Doe Warrants.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
With the U.S. currently experiencing a nationwide shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE), states have begun passing the legislation and funding needed to support this critical role. Last month, for example, President Joe Biden reauthorized and expanded the Violence Against Women Act, which now includes $30 million annually for the training and retention of sexual assault nurses.
Additionally, in Pennsylvania earlier this month, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1172, which seeks to improve access to SANEs.
“One would think SANEs are available in every hospital in Pennsylvania, however a 2021 study by the National Institutes of Health clarifies there are 49 certified SANEs across Pennsylvania…[which has] about 279 hospitals,” said Elder Vogel, prime sponsor of the legislation. “At facilities where a SANE is not available, victims may be seen by an untrained examiner or turned away without an exam. In many of those instances, victims must take it upon themselves to travel from one emergency room to the next until they are able to find a qualified examiner, with some traveling hours to other cities, or even other states. This can all lead to secondary trauma, delays or errors in care, and improper collection of evidence.”
SB 1172 will improve SANE availability by identifying a funding stream for hospitals to establish and maintain operation of SANE programs, and compiling/sharing a list of all hospitals in the state that offer SANE services.
Addressing the root cause of the SANE shortage, a new class of sexual assault nurse examiners just began training this week with Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance, a group of member hospitals across North Carolina. Funded with $115,000 annually from the Governor’s Crime Commission, the 15-person class will earn their certification by July—when a spike in rape cases coincides with the summer months.
Right now, there are about a dozen trained SANEs stationed throughout the tri-county area Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance covers. Coast Carolinas restarted its SANE training in 2017 when the program was re-funded by the Governor’s Crime Commission after a 6-year hiatus. Since then, Coastal Carolinas has trained 59 SANEs.
In fact, North Carolina is a leading proponent of SANE training. Attorney General John Stein recently announced a new program in partnership with the Southern Regional Area Health Education Center to train 50 SANE nurses in hospitals across the state. At the federal level, North Carolina Congresswoman Deborah Ross introduced bipartisan legislation that will amend the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004 to ensure the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grant Program is dedicated to the training, procurement, and retention of SANE-certified nurses. Once amended, the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam grants could be used to establish qualified regional SANE training programs, provide full and part time salaries for SANEs, and increase access to SANEs by providing DNA training, education, and technical assistance.
“We must ensure that survivors of sexual assault feel safe and supported, regardless of where they choose to receive medical care,” said Ross.