Local Lawmaker Wants To Create Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System In Pennsylvania To Help Prosecute Sex Crimes

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — April is Sexual Assault Consciousness Month. On Wednesday, a neighborhood lawmaker will make her case to create a statewide monitoring system for rape kits in Pennsylvania.

Rape continues to be probably the most under-prosecuted crimes within the nation. Native specialists informed Eyewitness Information on Tuesday night time that making a platform the place everybody from regulation enforcement to prosecutors to the victims themselves can entry this information is vital to altering that.

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Survivors of sexual assault and rape typically face many burdens after the crime happens, together with the gathering of key DNA proof.

“There isn’t any consistency across the county,” stated Mary Onama, govt director of the Victims Providers Heart of Montgomery County. “For instance, relying on which hospital you go to, you could not even get a rape package examination.”

The following hurdle is processing that data.

“Inside the US and in Pennsylvania, rape kits are oftentimes misplaced,” Onama stated. “Typically, they aren’t even saved correctly.”

In line with the newest information from the well being division, 153 kits weren’t processed on the finish of 2020. Each time that occurs, the chance of a rapist going unpunished skyrockets.

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“Greater than 80%, perhaps even greater, of rapes will not be efficiently prosecuted,” Onama stated.

“If the prosecutor is lacking proof that’s key, the prosecutor has the burden of proof,” Rep. Joanna McClinton stated.

It’s why McClinton is partnering with the Pennsylvania Coalition In opposition to Rape to move laws to create a statewide monitoring system for rape kits.

“Initially, permit victims the transparency and data and peace of thoughts to know what is occurring after they go away the hospital,” stated Donna Greco, the general public coverage and legislative affairs director with Pennsylvania Coalition In opposition to Rape.

The hope is that when a sufferer turns into their very own advocate, each therapeutic and justice will likely be served.

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New Jersey and Delaware are additionally amongst greater than 20 states that additionally lack a state monitoring system.