Rep. Walters Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Protect Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mimi Walters (CA-45) recently introduced the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016, H.R. 5578, along with Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) and 20 original cosponsors. Under current law, basic rights that protect survivors of sexual assault and allow them full access to justice vary greatly between each state and federal statute.  This bipartisan legislation will ensure that sexual assault survivors in federal criminal cases have a right to: a sexual assault evidence collection kit; be notified in writing before the kit is destroyed; request preservation of the kit; and be informed of important results from a forensic examination. The Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act will also require the Attorney General and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to convene a joint working group on best practices regarding the care and treatment of sexual assault survivors and the preservation of forensic evidence. “The uneven patchwork of laws across this country and the lack of substantive rights for sexual assault survivors prevents them from having full access to the justice system,” said Congresswoman Mimi Walters (R-California).  “This legislation is so important because it ensures those rights in the federal criminal justice system and will set an example for states to adopt similar procedures and practices.  The Senate has unanimously passed these reforms, and now, the House must do its part to ensure that sexual assault survivors have a fair chance at justice.  It is my hope that the House of Representatives passes the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act expeditiously.  I remain committed to ensuring that survivors of sexual assault can secure justice, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advocate for victims of sexual assault and enact sensible reforms like this bipartisan bill.” “Sexual assault survivors should not have to face barriers to justice after such a traumatic experience,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia). “The Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016 provides much needed protections and access to a legal process for survivors of sexual assault.  I applaud Representative Walters for introducing this bipartisan bill and look forward to taking it up in the House Judiciary Committee soon.” “By providing access to forensic exams and making certain the results of such exams are preserved for the duration of the statute of limitations, the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act ensures sexual assault survivors are provided fundamental legal rights, said Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-South Carolina), a former prosecutor. “Sexual assault survivors endure such an unspeakably traumatic crime - the criminal justice system owes it to them and the innocent public to maximize the chances of identifying and prosecuting these attackers. I applaud Ms. Walters and Ms. Lofgren for their hard work on this issue as well as the unsung officers, investigators, nurses, counselors and others who work so hard to provide the full measure of justice for the victims.” Original cosponsors of the bill include Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia), Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Michigan), Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-Indiana),  Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-Virginia), Congressman Ryan Costello (R- Pennsylvania), Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D- Washington), Congressman Sam Farr (D- California), Congressman Trey Gowdy (R- South Carolina), Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Washington), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D- Washington, DC),  Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D- Texas), Congressman Hakeem Jefferies (D-New York), Congressman Hank Johnson (D- Georgia), Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D- California), Congressman Gregory Meeks (D- New York),  Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-New York), Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-Louisiana), Congressman Lamar Smith (R- Texas), Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R- New York), and Niki Tsongas (D- Massachusetts). Walters represents California’s 45^th District and serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees.  ###