Walters bill protecting sexual assault survivors’ rights approved by House

The House of Representatives approved legislation on Tuesday by a vote of 399-0 that U.S. Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA) introduced to ensure that sexual assault survivors have access to sexual assault evidence collection kits.

The Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act, H.R. 5578, which Walters introduced with U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), would also ensure that sexual assault survivors receive forensic examination results and written notice before a kit can be destroyed.

“The lack of substantive rights for sexual assault survivors prevents them from having full access to the justice system, but (on Tuesday), the House of Representatives has taken an important step towards repairing this uneven patchwork,” Walters said.

Under current law, the rights of survivors to protect and access evidence kits vary with different state and federal statutes.

“This legislation ensures basic rights in the federal criminal justice system and will set an example for states to adopt similar procedures and practices,” Walters said. “The Senate has already unanimously passed these reforms, and now, it is my hope the president will sign them into law expeditiously. I remain committed to ensuring that survivors of sexual assault have a fair chance at justice, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advocate for victims of sexual assault and enact sensible reforms like this bipartisan bill.”

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), a cosponsor of the bill, said that the manner by which victims of sexual assault are treated under the criminal justice system needs to change.

“Too often, justice remains out of reach for who’ve already been victimized by this heinous crime,” Issa said. “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.”

U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) said that the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act is a “commonsense reform” that would aid victims of sexual assault nationwide.

“This legislation will help victims see justice done and I urge the Senate to pass it,” Moolenaar said.