News

SAKI TTA Webinar: SAKI Public Relations - Strategies for Transparency with the Community
— SAKI TTA, May 17, 2018

This webinar was presented by Keeley Crowley, Program & Policy Analyst with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Dr. Chris Henning, Research Analyst with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The needs and well-being of survivors must be at the core of all SAKI-related activities, especially when sharing updates and information with the community. Communication that is not victim-centered, trauma-informed, and transparent may negatively impact the perception of SAKI and the efforts being made to improve the system response to sexual assault.

County completes rape kit testing back to ’99
— Lila Fujimoto, mauinews.com, May 13, 2018

Maui County has completed testing on more than 100 sexual assault kits dating back to 1999. So far, testing has resulted in 13 hits in the national DNA database.

Fallen through the cracks:' Overdue DNA swabs link to murders, sexual assaults
— Rachel Dissell, The Plain Dealer, May 13, 2018

A project to collect swabs of DNA from more than 500 Cuyahoga County probationers whose DNA was not in the state database has led to 21 hits to crimes so far, including 2 murders and seven sexual assaults.

Nevada Attorney General launches website addressing sex assault test kit backlog
— KTNV Staff, May 10, 2018

The Nevada Attorney General’s Office launched a website providing information on their efforts to test previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits. The website including statistical information regarding SAK testing, information on how to report a sexual assault, and resources for survivors and law enforcement agencies.

Battle Creek man to stand trial in 10-year-old rape
— Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer, May 8, 2018

A Battle Creek man will stand trial on a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for a rape that occurred nearly 10 years ago. This is the sixth case charged in Calhoun County from the testing of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

Man pleads guilty to 2008 rape of girl, 14, after push to test rape kits
— Emily Monacelli, mlive.com, May 7, 2018

In Kalamazoo County, the first of many sexual assault cases stemming from the testing of old rape kits has come to a resolution after a man pleaded guilty to a rape that occurred nearly 10 years ago.

AG: Progress Made in Hawai‘i Sex Assault Kit Backlog
— mauinow.com, May 4, 2018

Hawaii’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative multidisciplinary team has completed the submission of 1,513 previously untested SAKs for DNA testing.

New programs address United States’ large number of unsubmitted and untested rape kits
— RTI International/Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Training and Technical Assistance Team, Apr 30, 2018

The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative is now providing two new web platforms to provide resources for law enforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice professionals addressing cold case sexual assault.

Why victims’ advocates are calling this “the golden age of sexual assault reform”
— Christopher Johnson, salon.com, Apr 28, 2018

Learn more about the importance of SAKI to current efforts to improve sexual assault response.

Huge GBI backlog of untested rape kits down by two-thirds
— Rhonda Cook, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Apr 27, 2018

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has tested approximately two-thirds of its backlog of over 10,000 sexual assault kits. There have been 241 CODIS hits to evidence processed so far.