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United Family Services
601 East Fifth Street, Suite 400
Charlotte NC 28202
Phone: 704.332.9034
Fax: 704.373.1604 info@ufsclt.org |
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| Sexual Assault Victim Legislation | |
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“The bill will ensure that victims who have a rape kit completed will not be billed for this forensic medical examination,” said United Family Services Director of Victim Services Brandy K. Redmile Stephens.
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Sexual Assault Victims Receive Assistance from Legislation
On July 15, the North Carolina state House and Senate both passed House Bill 1342 which creates an assistance program for victims of rape and sex offenses.
New state legislation now ensures that victims of sexual assault will no longer have the financial burden of paying for a “rape kit,” or forensic medical examination.
The rape kits allow medical examiners to collect evidence of a sexual assault and to treat the victim for any injuries which occurred during the sexual assault.
In many cases, the cost of the rape kit and the potential of having this information included as a part of their medical record and health insurance discouraged many victims of sexual assault from reporting their assaults and having the rape kits completed.
“The bill will ensure that victims who have a rape kit completed will not be billed for this forensic medical examination,” said United Family Services Director of Victim Services Brandy K. Redmile Stephens.
Stephens added that the rape kits must be completed within 72 hours of a sexual assault or the evidence is lost.
Stephens said sexual assault victims will also receive additional support from the North Carolina Anonymous Reporting Protocol, which the general public has been referring to as the “Jane Doe kit.”
Under this program, the state now complies with the 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act by not requiring victims of sexual assault to participate in the investigation and prosecution of the offender as a condition to receiving the forensic medical exam with no out-of-pocket cost to the victim.
Stephens said the protocol also encourages sexual assault victims to seek and receive medical treatment immediately following a sexual assault and gives the victims a year to determine whether or not they want to file a report with law enforcement without the fear of being identified if they decide not to report the sexual assault to law enforcement.
“There are risks involved with not working with law enforcement right after a sexual assault occurs,” she said. “The benefits of doing so include law enforcement having the opportunity to collect evidence from the suspect, from the victim, from the crime scene to avoid losing the evidence.”
Stephens added that there may be other financial issues that come up as a result of the victimization that the N.C. Crime Victim’s Compensation program could assist the victim with. However, they are not able to provide reimbursement if the victim was does not initially work with law enforcement.
Support is available for victims and their loved ones in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Union counties. The services are provided at no cost and include a 24-hour hotline, hospital accompaniment, counseling and support groups.
“Victims should be empowered to decide for themselves what is best to do in terms of reporting,” Stephens said. “Regardless of what a victim decides to do, the staff and volunteers at United Family Services are here to support the victim and their loved ones to ensure their safety and to begin their healing process.”
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