Emmer’s bipartisan, bicameral bill improves investigations, victim care in sexual assault cases

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) on Jan. 16 reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help improve the care and treatment of sexual assault victims and bolster how law enforcement investigates and prosecutes such cases.

The Abby Honold Act, H.R. 600, is named for a former University of Minnesota student who survived a 2014 rape, and also honors the police officer who helped Honold win her case in court against the rapist.

“We are taking an important step forward to provide better treatment to sexual assault victims in crisis and making certain it is treated like the heinous crime it is,” Rep. Emmer said on Jan. 18.

If enacted, H.R. 600 would authorize the Office on Violence Against Women to use a trauma-informed approach in the response to and investigation of crimes related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, according to the text of the bill.

Rep. Emmer, who sponsored H.R. 600, was joined by U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH), the lead lawmaker among 10 original cosponsors, in introducing the bill. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on Jan. 16 also introduced companion legislation, the same-named S. 171, in her chamber along with original cosponsor U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

Specifically, the bill would establish a grant program to train law enforcement agencies in evidence-based, trauma-informed interview techniques to enrich communication between victims and law enforcement that doesn’t re-traumatize a victim, but ensures law enforcement receives comprehensive and precise details about a crime, according to Rep. Emmer’s Jan. 18 statement.

“Sexual assault is a crime and it is vital for law enforcement to have accurate and complete information to prosecute it as such,” said Rep. Emmer. “For Abby, and for the thousands of victims who experience trauma, this is a key part of their recovery process, as is a compassionate response in the immediate aftermath.”

When Honold reported her rape to police in 2014, the trauma she experienced prevented her from recalling specific details about the crime. However, while at the hospital, Honold received care from a nurse who was trained to use trauma-informed interviewing, which allowed Honold to recall vital details that helped the investigation and ultimately led to the successful prosecution of the rapist.

“Inspired by her story, I worked with Senator Klobuchar to introduce the Abby Honold Act in both chambers of Congress during the 115th Congress,” Rep. Emmer said, referring to H.R. 4720 and S. 2266, which the lawmakers unveiled in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

“I am proud to reintroduce this legislation during the 116th Congress,” Emmer added.

H.R. 600 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, while S. 171 is under review by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.