For Immediate Release: March 15, 2021
Contact: Olivia Hall, media@endthebacklog.org
NEW YORK – This coming Wednesday, the Tennessee House of Representatives Criminal Justice Subcommittee will be hearing testimony from advocates on H.B. 0039 — a bill that would give survivors of sexual assault in Tennessee the right to obtain information about the status of their rape kit, set required kit handling timelines, as well as establish a state-wide rape kit tracking system. After years of working alongside Representative Freeman, other legislators, and local advocacy groups perfecting this bill, Joyful Heart enthusiastically supports H.B. 0039, which will help keep communities safe and bring answers and information to survivors.
Behind every kit is a person — a sexual assault survivor — waiting for justice. We stand with every survivor who has taken the step of reporting the crime to the police and endured an invasive examination in search of DNA evidence left behind by the attacker. Giving survivors access to information through an online tracking system about their kits can help counter the loss of self-determination and control that is often at the core of a sexual assault experience.
“Sexual assault victims should have the right to obtain information about the status of their rape kit, however most leave the hospital and never hear again about it. This is damaging to survivors and their wellbeing,” said Ilse Knecht, Joyful Heart’s Director of Policy and Advocacy. “In our 2016 report Navigating Notification, we found that access to information about the status of their cases can promote healing for survivors of sexual assault and counters the loss of control that is at the core of the sexual assault experience. By enacting this bill, legislators are signaling to all survivors in Tennessee that they — and their cases — matter. Furthermore, rape kit tracking systems increase accountability and transparency in the rape kit handing process, ensuring all kits are tested.”
“This is a critical issue and one that I’m dedicated to addressing,” said State Representative Bob Freeman (D) of Nashville, Tennessee. “Survivors of sexual assault deserve access to information about the status of their kit. We have worked with survivors and victim service providers across the state and the country to make sure we implement the best procedures in TN to support survivors of sexual violence.”
The hearing can be watched here.
If you would like an interview or additional comment by Ilse Knecht, please feel free to contact media@endthebacklog.org to set up an interview. Additionally, you can learn more about our legislative efforts in Tennessee at http://www.endthebacklog.org/Tennessee.