U.S. Reps. Mimi Walters (R-CA) and Tom Reed (R-NY) and U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) applauded the president’s signing of the Survivors Bill of Rights Act, H.R. 5578, into law on Friday.
The measure would empower survivors of sexual assault by mandating that information be provided to them about how evidence is collected, analyzed and disposed of in the course of federal sexual assault investigations.
Walters, who introduced the bill in the House, said that the measure removes a “substantial barrier” that survivors of sexual assault have faced in their pursuit of justice.
“The Survivors’ Bill of Rights establishes clear procedures and commonsense legal protections in the federal criminal justice system that will ensure survivors of sexual assault can secure justice,” Walters said. “There is an uneven patchwork of laws across this country that prevents sexual assault survivors from having full access to the justice system. This law guarantees these rights in the federal criminal justice system, but it is my hope this law will set an example for states to adopt similar procedures and practices. Though this is an important step, as a country, we still have a great deal of work to do to improve the lives of sexual assault survivors. I will continue to work with my colleagues to advocate for victims of sexual assault and enact sensible reforms like this bipartisan bill.”
Under the law, the attorney general will be directed to convene a joint working group to establish best practices for the treatment of assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence.
Ayotte, a cosponsor of the Senate version of the bill, said that survivors of sexual violence deserve support throughout the course of forensic examinations, investigations and prosecutions.
“As New Hampshire’s former attorney general, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of sexual violence and the grueling process survivors have to go through afterwards, which is why I’ll continue to push for ways we can better support and care for these individuals,” Ayotte said.
The measure will also make grant funding under the Victims of Crimes Act available to states to help disseminate written notice of survivors’ rights.
Reed said that anyone who is assaulted should have access to the care they need and that cost should not be a barrier to fully investigating a crime.
“We care about the victims of sexual assault, and this law is a monumental step forward to protect them,” Reed said. “We remained committed to supporting those in need by encouraging them to come forward to seek justice and providing them with the resources and compassion they need to recover.”