Statewide Sexual Assault Response Reform in SAKI Workbook

• NCJ Number: 252607
• Date Published: July 2018
• Length: 40 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2015-AK-BX-K021
• Agencies: BJA-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Reference Material; Instructional Material (Programmed); Grants and Funding
• Award: The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative: National Training and Technical Assistance

Annotation

Since almost half of all National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) grantees are statewide or multi-jurisdictional projects, this workbook developed by the SAKI Training and Technical Assistance (SAKI TTA) Team is intended as a guide for implementing SAKI focus areas statewide.

Abstract

SAKI is a holistic effort that supports the development of a coordinated community response to sexual assault, which includes inventorying and testing previously unsubmmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs) and investigating and prosecuting the associated cases. SAKI is a resource-intensive, ambitious project which requires dedication, resources, and coordination when conducted statewide. Since tracking progress is important, especially in large-scale initiatives, the workbook is a tool for assessing and recording a state's progress in key areas of reform in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases. Three phases are assigned to each focus area, i.e., development, implementation, and institutionalization. These phases are tracked for each focus area. The focus areas of the SAKI model are the SAK testing protocol; post-testing prioritization protocol; victim notification protocol; cold case investigation protocol; cold case prosecution protocol; SAK evidence tracking and case management systems; training plan; research and evaluation; participation in the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP); media and communication plan; and legislation plan. The workbook format for each of these focus areas consists of a brief statement of the challenge of the focus area, an outline of key considerations for the focus area, and a series of key questions that must be answered in the course of developing, implementing, and institutionalizing the focus area. Space is provided in each focus area for providing written answers by the grantee. There is also an area provided for grantees to make notes regarding the tracking of what is happening in each of the focus areas.