Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted 399-0 to approve a bill providing additional protections for survivors of sexual assaults — the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016 (H.R. 5578).
The measure, which was cosponsored by Congressman Issa and introduced by neighboring Congresswomen Mimi Walters (R-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), will ensure that sexual assault survivors:
- Have the right to a sexual assault evidence collection kit
- Will be notified in writing before any kit is destroyed
- Will be able to request preservation of the kit
- Are informed of the results from forensic examination
The Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act also requires the Attorney General and the Department of Health and Human Services recommend best practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.
Upon its passage in the House of Representatives, Congressman Issa said,“We have to overhaul the way our criminal justice system treats the victims of sexual assault. Too often, justice remains out of reach for who’ve already been victimized by this heinous crime. Across the nation tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of rape kits remain untested and are often destroyed before they are ever tested by investigators. This bill will help protect evidence and codify into law small, but much needed, reforms to ensure victims have access to the justice they deserve.”