Citation

Campbell R, Gregory K, Goodman-Williams R, Engleton J, Javorka MK. Violence Against Women 2023; e10778012231200479.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/10778012231200479

PMID

37700717

Abstract

Current estimates suggest there are 300,000-400,000 untested sexual assault kits (SAKs) in police department storage facilities throughout the United States. As these kits are being discovered and then submitted for forensic DNA testing, legal system personnel may recontact victims. These "victim notifications" involve informing survivors their kits were previously untested, sharing the results of new DNA testing, and asking for their engagement in reinvestigating and prosecuting the case. Typically, victim notifications are conducted by police, and survivors are connected with victim advocates soon thereafter. In this study, we interviewed survivors about their experiences of being notified by the police. We also interviewed about their work supporting survivors. Both survivors and advocates expressed strong concerns about police conducting notifications without an advocate present.

Language: en

Keywords

rape kits; sexual assault kits; trauma-informed; victim notification