Sexual assault cases in NC plagued by long lags after arrests made

Ohio has invested heavily in new technology and processes to improve and streamline the testing of rape kits. As Washington grapples with limited resources and lab inefficiencies, it looks to Ohio as an example of productivity and efficiency. After passing a bill requiring the processing of all rape kits, crime labs in Washington are facing a backlog that, without changing their ways, could take up to six years to complete.

The way in which Kentucky’s Louisville Metro Police Department handles rape cases has come into question. The department’s low level of cases being brought to trial is because of the extra step police officers take: checking with prosecutors to see if they’ll take the case to court. If prosecutors won’t, the police don’t make arrests. The policy is justified as victim-centered. But experts say this, combined with other problematic practices by the LMPD, can leave survivors feeling as though they aren’t believed and alone with their trauma.

Members of the military who are survivors of sexual assault have access to special victims’ counsels to help guide and protect them throughout the legal process. The efforts are still young, and with that comes issues of ill-trained or over-worked legal representation – a criticism that has been made known by advocates. Furthermore, while the existence of such assistance is extremely beneficial to military personnel, the same sort of protection and support isn’t available to civilians who are alleging violent crimes against military members.

Following the Colombian civil war, the country enacted The Victims’ Law, which centered on providing reparations to those affected by violence and war. But since its creation, the law has only provided reparations to less than 11% of those who have applied, and for women survivors, it’s even less. Women, who are disproportionately affected by war because of the use of sexual assault, are coming together under the National Tablle for Victim’s Participation, are demanding more.

With the largest backlog of rape kits in the country, North Carolina is taking steps to expedite the process. A key challenge in this effort is the autonomy of police departments to test them at their own discretion. Still, cities like Fayetteville are making headway and seeing results, namely, 37 arrests. On the state level, a bipartisan bill is in motion that would designate $6 million for testing rape kits.

Maine's rape kit tracking pilot program, designed to give sexual assault survivors more control in their investigations, works like package tracking. Victims receive a postcard with a kit number after evidence collection and can check the status of their kit online.

The Bail Project is posting bond for men and women who cannot afford to pay and haven’t been convicted of a crime. Based in Detroit, the nonprofit has locations across the country and uses a revolving fund to bail out individuals, meaning once the bond is recovered, the funding is then available for another person. Its Detroit location has bailed out nearly 200 individuals in an effort to end mass incarceration and prove that holding people – most of whom are people of color or experiencing poverty – does not diminish recidivism.

Leading up to Father’s Day, Philadelphia criminal justice organization Frontline Dads raised money to bail out fathers. Inspired by the annual Mother’s Day bailouts that happen around the country, Frontline Dad aims to not just free father’s, but raise awareness about the issue of cash bail as well. Beyond bailing out fathers, participants will also have access to services like haircuts, counseling, and job placement assistance.

Across the United States, Black Mama’s Bail out bailed out hundreds of black women in time for Mother’s Day. The organization accepts donations to pay bail for women cannot afford it on their own as part of their larger goal of ending the cash bail system and mass incarceration. Research shows that while black women are increasingly one of the largest groups of incarcerated individuals, and yet simply posting bail has led to a majority of these cases being dropped.

Across Ohio, legislators, organizations, and activists have improved prevention and response measures to sexual assault. The state has seen the opening of 14 new rape crisis centers, statewide legislation, increased support for survivors and their families, and the establishment of on-campus programs. Each initiative offers different services, but all seek to shift the culture and provide a more well-rounded approach to sexual assault for Ohio residents.