This legislation aims to strengthen protections for survivors of sexual violence. This bill would ensure that survivors have the choice to remain anonymous if they choose to have a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit done by law enforcement, as well as decide to have it stored and preserved by the law enforcement agency during the duration of the statute of limitations. Additionally, the bill ensures the protection of an anonymous sexual assault survivor’s DNA within the kit from being used to prosecute the survivor in an unrelated investigation.

The act of getting a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit can be a traumatic experience for a survivor, who was courageous enough to come forward and report their sexual violence to law enforcement. While they may not choose to seek legal action at that time, we have a duty and an obligation to provide survivors with the necessary means to seek justice when they are ready and to make sure all of their evidence is treated with the respect and care that it deserves.