January 28, 2014<\/p>\n
The Honorable Tommy Wells
\nCouncilmember, Ward 6
\nChairman, Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety
\nCouncil of the District of Columbia
\nJohn A. Wilson Building
\n1350 Pennsylvania Ave
\nWashington, D.C. 20004<\/p>\n
Dear Chairman Wells,<\/p>\n
The Justice for Survivors Campaign (JSC) is a grassroots coalition of the undersigned sexual assault survivors, direct service providers, advocacy organizations, allies and community members working to increase the rights of and improve services for survivors of sexual assault in the District of Columbia. To date, 19 organizations and 301 individual community members have signed on as supporters of the Campaign.\u00a0(For more information on the Campaign, please see the addendum to this letter.)<\/i><\/p>\n
JSC believes that sexual assault survivors must receive fair and compassionate treatment from first responders, service providers and members of law enforcement and the justice system. Additionally, we believe there should be greater transparency by agencies and organizations that work with survivors of sexual assault to reduce re-victimization.<\/p>\n
In order to ensure appropriate survivor-centered policies and improved treatment of and response to those individuals who report sexual assault in DC, we strongly encourage you to support the passage of\u00a0B20-417, the Sexual Assault Victims\u2019 Rights Amendment Act (SAVRAA), with a few critical amendments.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Incidents of mistreatment and re-victimization of sexual assault survivors by DC law enforcement have been documented in numerous reports \u2013 including in\u00a0Capitol Offense: Police Mishandling of Sexual Assault Cases in the District of Columbia<\/a>\u00a0(Human Rights Watch, January 24, 2013) as well as in\u00a0survivor public testimony<\/a>\u00a0to the DC Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety (Public Hearing, December 12, 2013).\u00a0SAVRAA represents an important first step in improving law enforcement\u2019s response to sexual assaults in DC.\u00a0<\/strong>Specifically, the bill would enhance the processing of sexual assault forensic examination kits; grant sexual assault victims the right to have a trained sexual assault victim advocate present at medical and law enforcement proceedings (with certain exceptions); establish confidentiality between survivors and sexual assault victim advocates, and strengthen oversight and accountability of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).<\/p>\n The Justice for Survivors Campaign strongly supports these measures outlined in SAVRAA.<\/strong>\u00a0Timely and effective processing of sexual assault forensic examination kits can ensure that critical evidence can be collected, tested, and made available to the justice system if and when a criminal case occurs. Additionally, we believe that confidentiality between survivors and sexual assault victim advocates is a critical protection afforded to survivors to ensure that discussions geared towards recovering and healing from the trauma of sexual assault appropriately remain privileged.<\/p>\n Although JSC supports SAVRAA, we strongly believe that there are at least three critical policy measures that must be added to protect survivors of sexual assault to the fullest degree possible and improve handling of sexual assault criminal cases.\u00a0 They include:<\/p>\n The current version of the bill creates a right for survivors to request that a trained sexual assault victim\u2019s advocate be present during hospital exams and in interviews with the police, prosecutors and defense attorneys.\u00a0 However, the bill allows a broad and ambiguous exemption to this right if medical personnel, or law enforcement or attorneys, determine that \u201cthe sexual assault victim advocate will be detrimental to the purpose of the examination\u201d or \u201cthe purpose of the interview,\u201d respectively.\u00a0 Unlike the other entities involved in investigations, a sexual assault victim advocate\u2019s priority is the best interest of the survivor.\u00a0 Advocates not only play a critical role in providing immediate support after an assault, but they actually assist medical, law enforcement and other personnel in achieving their priority objectives by providing support to the survivor during exams and interviews. They receive extensive training to perform this role. Many leading jurisdictions around the country that have established a survivor\u2019s right to an advocate do not include these exemptions, and the results have been improved outcomes for both the survivor as well as law enforcement.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Even with improved policies and standards for sexual assault investigations, police departments benefit from utilizing a collaborative case review process in which law enforcement, direct services, advocacy and other stakeholders ensure that best practices are being met, survivors are being treated appropriately, and cases are being processed properly.<\/p>\n Although the DC Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) has created a protocol for case review, it is not being implemented regularly. Baltimore, Philadelphia and many other jurisdictions have found monthly or bimonthly review of a random sample of sex offense cases through a formal review process to significantly improve the relationship between the public, service providers and law enforcement as well as improve the quality of investigations and victim treatment. In addition to the random sample of cases to be reviewed, sexual assault response team members may bring other specific cases to the attention of team members at these meetings. Service providers, law enforcement and government agencies have empowered sexual assault survivors through the minimization and resolution of case response issues and short-term response that regular case review enables.<\/p>\n The case review process should include clear objectives and methods based upon best practices nationally, and should include adequate government and non-governmental representation to ensure proper oversight. It could be established under the current Sexual Assault Response Team, or through another mechanism created by the DC Council.<\/p>\n There is a large body of research and best practices for sexual assault investigations and trauma-informed policing. An independent consultant would provide needed support to MPD with adopting and implementing further reforms, as well as earning back the public\u2019s trust.\u00a0 Additionally, utilizing an independent consultant would bring objectivity to the process.<\/p>\n The act of sexual assault is one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed, and a devastating experience for survivors. In DC, as in most parts of the country and around the world, an alarming percentage of women and men have experienced sexual assault in their lifetime, yet a small fraction ever report the crime, due to shame, stigma, or a lack of trust in law enforcement response to this crime.\u00a0This critical legislation will determine whether survivors who report their assault can begin the process of healing and obtaining justice or whether they will be re-victimized by the very public safety infrastructure intended to support them.<\/strong><\/p>\n We believe that the District has the ability to help dramatically improve its response process for sexual assault survivors by adopting our recommended best practices. DC should follow other jurisdictions in becoming a leading example of effective collaboration between law enforcement, victim advocacy organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that survivors are treated fairly and perpetrators are held accountable.\u00a0We believe DC Council can demonstrate significant leadership by strengthening the Sexual Assault Victim Rights Amendment Act of 2013 and ensuring its prompt enactment.<\/strong><\/p>\n We look forward to working with members of the Council and are happy to provide additional background information, research, best practices and survivor testimonials.<\/p>\n Sincerely, A. Allen, DC Resident (Ward 2) ADDENDUM<\/strong><\/p>\n Overview of the Justice for Survivors Campaign:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\nThe As One Project
\nBreak the Cycle
\nCollective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS)
\nThe DC Center for the LGBT Community
\nDC Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC)
\nDefend Yourself
\nEveryday Feminism
\nFem2pt0
\nFORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture
\nLaw Students for Reproductive Justice of American University
\nMary\u2019s Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc.
\nNational Association of Social Workers, DC Metro Chapter
\nNational Council of Women\u2019s Organizations
\nNational Organization for Women, DC Chapter (DC NOW)
\nPious Pagan Publishing
\nRamona\u2019s Way
\nSlutwalk D.C.
\nStop Street Harassment
\nWashington College of Law\u2019s Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)<\/p>\n
\nAaron Marks, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nAbigail, DC Resident (Ward 4), Survivor
\nAbigail Collazo, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nAbigail Stallworth
\nAirelle Theresa Smith, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nAJ, DC Resident (Ward 1), Survivor
\nAlana Rush
\nAlessandra, DC Resident (Ward 7)
\nAlex Baddock, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nAlexandra Bradley, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nAlexandra \u201cSandi\u201d Fox, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nAlexandra Zuckerman, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nAlisa Goldman, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nAlison Damaskos, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nAlison P., DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nAllie Robertson, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nAllison Elder
\nAllison Korman
\nAllison S. Kopp, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nAllyson Legnini, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nAlthea May Sellars, DC Resident (Ward 3), Survivor
\nAlys, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nAlyssa Schimmel, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nAmanda Kloer, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nAmanda Lindamood, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nAmanda Pyron
\nAmanda Teuscher, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nAmy Hendrick, Survivor
\nAndrea Marcin, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nAngela N. White
\nAngela Short, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nAnna Clements, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nAnnie, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nAnonymous, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nAnton Altman, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nAshley L. Harrell, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nBeth, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nBrad Swanson
\nBrian Brotsos, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nBrittany, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nBrittany Alston Caballero, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nBrittany Oliver
\nBrynne Keith-Jennings, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nCallie Otto, DC Resident (Ward 1), Survivor
\nCamille Hawkins
\nCaroline, DC Resident (Ward 6), Survivor
\nCaroline Anderson, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nCaroline O\u2019Shea, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nCarolyn Browender, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nChai Shenoy, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nCharles Clymer, DC Resident (Ward 6), Survivor
\nChetan Shenoy, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nChris McVicker, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nChrissy Z., DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nChristine Archer, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nChristine Rodriguez, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nClaire Mitchell, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nClare Bresnahan, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nColleen Gallopin, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nColumbia Smith
\nMs. Corinn
\nCorrine V, Survivor
\nCory, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nCraig Auster, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nCraig French, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nDanielle
\nDaniel Rappaport, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nDave Chandrasekaran, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nDeanna Glickman, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nDeanna J.
\nDeborah Rogers
\nDeborah Saint-Vil
\nDelaney Kloesel
\nDenise Snyder, DC Resident (Ward 4), Survivor
\nDenise Taylor, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nDevin K. Trinkley, RN, DC Resident (Ward 7)
\nDiana Thu-Thao, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nDonna Muller
\nDoug Foote, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nE. Koerner, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nEileen Dombo, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nEleanor Gourley, Survivor
\nElisabeth, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nElise M., DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nElizabeth M.
\nElizabeth O\u2019Gorek, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nElizabeth Spergel, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nElsa Leon
\nEmily
\nEmily Bengtson, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nEmily Biondo, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nEmily Jakobsen, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nEmily Morrison, DC Resident (Ward 1), Survivor
\nEmily Robichaux, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nEmma, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nEmma Din, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nEric Myers, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nErin Gray, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nErin McAuliff, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nErin Radford, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nErin Simmons, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nEthan Pollack, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nEugene Bord
\nEvan Camara
\nFarrah Lewis
\nGeorge Gaines, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nGeorge Page, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nGianna Van Vuren, Survivor
\nGina
\nGinette Walls, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nGowri Koneswaran, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nGraham Boyle, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nHannah Geyer, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nHeather Booth, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nHeather Brotsos, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nHeather Goss, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nHeather L., DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nHeather Rodgers, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nHeidi Case, DC Resident (Ward 8), Survivor
\nHelen, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nHelen Luryi, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nHerschel Pecker, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nHolly Kearl
\nIsabel Otero
\nIvonne Ramirez, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nJackie Dolt, Survivor
\nJade, Survivor
\nJames A. Landrith, Survivor
\nJamie S., DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nJane Palmer, Ph.D.
\nJason Bartles, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nJen Girdish, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nJenica Wright, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nJennifer Corey
\nJennifer T., DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nJesse Rabinowitz, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nJessica Lilly
\nJessica Luczywo, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nJessica Reid, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nJessica Solomon, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nJoni Podschun, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nJoseph Vess, DC Resident (Ward 7)
\nJoy Welan, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nJoya Taft-Dick, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nJT, DC Resident (Ward 2), Survivor
\nJudah Ariel, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nJulia Kann, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nJulia Linfors, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nJulia Strange, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nJulie M.
\nJulie Mastrine
\nJulie Ost, DC Resident (Ward 5), Survivor
\nJustin C., DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nJustyn Hintze, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nK.B., DC Resident (Ward 4), Survivor
\nKara M., DC Resident (Ward 4), Survivor
\nKaren Mulhauser, DC Resident (Ward 6), Survivor
\nKaren Rosenberger
\nKashif Syed, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nKate, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nKatelyn, Survivor
\nKatherine Eyster, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nKatie Ashmore, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nKatie Beckman-Gotrich, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nKaty Bristow, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nKelsey Altherton, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nKerry Green, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nKimberly Smith, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nKionna Jones (Ward 8), Survivor
\nKJ, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nKristina Klassen, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nKrystal Simmons, DC Resident (Ward 4), Survivor
\nKyle Pinto
\nLacey Shaver, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nLanice Williams, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nLaTierra
\nLaura Greenback, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nLaura Henderson
\nLaurel Long
\nLauren E. Brown
\nLauren Kuritz, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nLauren Levine, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nLauren R. Taylor, Survivor
\nLauren Redding, Survivor
\nLeigh
\nLisa Sendrow, DC Resident (Ward 1), Survivor
\nLiz Gorman, DC Resident (Ward 4), Survivor
\nLorraine Holmes, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nLove Smith, DC Resident (Ward 8)
\nMackenzie Baris, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nMadeline, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMadeline Barnett, DC Resident (Ward 6), Survivor
\nMadeline Whitman, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMaggie R., DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMahri Irvine
\nMalinda Frevert, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMandy Parente, Survivor
\nMarc Peters, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nMarghet Hager, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nMari Schimmer, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nMaria Romas, Survivor
\nMarisa Ferri, DC Resident (Ward 2), Survivor
\nMartha Allen, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMarty Langelan
\nMason Wiley, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nMatthew John, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nMatthew Johnson, Survivor
\nMaureen Evans Arthurs
\nMaya Grodman, Survivor
\nMeagan Wills, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nMeg M., DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMegan Campbell, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nMeggie
\nMeghan Rutherford, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMelanie Becker
\nMelanie Keller, Survivor
\nMelissa Kleder, DC Resident (Ward 1), Survivor
\nMichael Francum, MSW, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMichelle M.
\nMichelle McCurdy
\nMindi Westhoff, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMiriam Stevens
\nMonica Kamen, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nMonica Owens, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nNatalie E., DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nNatasha Benfer, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nNbed
\nNew Yorker, DC Resident (Ward 6), Survivor
\nNicole Nichols, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nNiko S., DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nNiva Haynes, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nNoelle Magrino, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nNora Skelly, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nOrelia Busch, DC Resident (Ward 5), Survivor
\nPattee Gatica
\nPaula Shapiro, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nR.D.
\nRachel Oswald, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nRaha Wala, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nRamin Katirai, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nRebecca, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nRebecca Armendariz, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nRebecca Krevat, Survivor
\nRegina
\nRenee Davidson, DC Resident (Ward 2), Survivor
\nRobyn Swirling, DC Resident (Ward 1), Survivor
\nRosamund, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nRyane Ridenour, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nS. L. Chemaly, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nSabrina Stevens, DC Resident (Ward 5), Survivor
\nSam Geimer, Survivor
\nSamantha Frapart, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nSamantha Lewis-Wright, DC Resident (Ward 2), Survivor
\nSamuel Blank, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nSandi Giver (Ward 1), Survivor
\nSara Alcid, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nSara Blanco
\nSara H., DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nSarah Brammer-Shlay, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nSarah Jones, DC Resident (Ward 6), Survivor
\nSarah Levine, MPH, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nSarah M., DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nSarah Ziegenhorn, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nSasha Ponappa, DC Resident (Ward 5)
\nSC
\nSeth D. Michaels, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nShana Hofstetter, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nShana Pereira, DC Resident (Ward 4)
\nShannon P.
\nSherelle Hessell-Gordon, DC Resident (Ward 5), Survivor
\nSilvia Zenteno
\nSimmy Singh, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nSislena Grocer Ledbetter, Ph.D.
\nSpatel, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nStefanie, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nStephanie D., DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nStephanie Roswell
\nSteven Fake, DC Resident (Ward 1)
\nSujata Bhattarai
\nSusan S. Benson, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nSusan Drobis, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nDr. Suzan Stafford, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nSuzanne Haggerty, DC Resident (Ward 1), Survivor
\nSynta Keeling (Ward 7)
\nTalila Lewis
\nTamara, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nTanisha Humphrey, DC Resident (Ward 7)
\nTara Mancini, DC Resident (Ward 3)
\nTheresa Dill
\nTiffani Nichole Johnson, J.D., DC Resident (Ward 4), Survivor
\nTrevy Homer
\nTrish Kent, DC Resident (Ward 2)
\nVal Vilott
\nValerie Knott, Survivor
\nVictoria Thompson
\nWanda C. White, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nWill, DC Resident (Ward 6)
\nZachary Dryden, DC Resident (Ward 4), Survivor
\nZosia Sztykowski, DC Resident (Ward 1)<\/p>\n