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This boost will aid the laboratory in more efficient processing of forensic evidence samples, giving investigators and survivors of sexual assault timelier results. The grant will also support statewide training on sexually motivated crimes for the Connecticut Police Academy, as well as training for hospital personnel on sexual assault evidence tracking. This will help to investigate, track down, and keep perpetrators behind bars where they belong.
Our state has enacted several reforms that have helped improve processing times. The Governor's communication included in 2019, the Joyful Heart Foundation, a national nonprofit organization working in states across the country to end the nationwide backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits, certified Connecticut as having implemented “full reform” in regards to enacting policies and procedures that improve the timely processing of these kits. This includes the adopting of all six pillars of reforms that the organization recommends.
Additionally in a previous legislative session, we passed a law that offers more support and protection to victims and survivors of domestic violence. We expanded the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control. Coercive control is a pattern or behavior that can use threatening, intimidation, or exploitation to trap individuals in abusive relationships.
This expanded definition recognizes intimate partner violence can be more than physical abuse – it can take shape as emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse. This measure will help make the process of filing for restraining orders, divorce, child custody, and other family court matters easier for victims and survivors. It would also create a new legal aid program to provide legal representation for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
To support and help victims and survivors of domestic violence visit CTSafeConnect.org or call or text (888) 774-2900. Help is available 24/7.
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