After someone reports a rape, they go through an extensive and invasive process that lasts between four and six hours in order to gather information about the crime. According to the International Association of Forensic Nurses, only 17 percent of hospitals have access to trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) who will provide rape kits which help identify the perpetrator and bring justice to the survivor.
The lack of resources to help bring the perpetrators of sexual violences to justice leaves survivors with the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma of being violated and stripped of their dignity. As Christians, we are called to protect the vulnerable and act justly, and therefore cannot tolerate the injustice inflicted on survivors of sexual violence.
The Survivors’ Access to Supportive Care Act (SASCA) will plan, develop, and make recommendations to increase access to sexual assault examinations for survivors by holding hospitals accountable and supporting the providers that serve them. The legislation includes plans to authorize $2 million annually for state-level surveys to understand barriers survivors face when accessing healthcare, requires hospitals to provide info about services available to survivors, and establishes a pilot grant program to expand medical forensic exam training & services.
We are asking that you contact your members of Congress to support this The Survivors’ Access to Supportive Care Act today!
Read more about the bill here.
Read a backgrounder or return to the Office of Social Justice website.