Missouri Attorney General issued the following announcement on March 13.
Just two weeks after Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced his SAFE Kit initiative, he and his staff hosted a multi-disciplinary group meeting yesterday to further discuss and share input on how to proceed regarding the backlog of untested sexual assault kits in Missouri. The meeting attendees consisted of victim advocates, law enforcement officials, hospital and healthcare representatives, and more.
“Reporting a sexual assault is an incredibly brave act, and survivors deserve to know that their sexual assault kits will be handled properly,” said AG Schmitt. “Hosting this meeting of important voices from across the state is a crucial next step in this important initiative, and we will continue to meet with law enforcement, victim advocates, and more to ensure that this initiative is implemented as smoothly as possible.”
Attorney General Schmitt announced the SAFE Kit Initiative and appointed Judge M. Keithley Williams to direct the initiative on February 27th. Under the SAFE Kit Initiative, made possible by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Judge Williams will work with law enforcement and health officials to document the backlog of untested sexual assault kits in the state of Missouri.
The multi-disciplinary group serves as a way for a wide range of voices within this issue can assemble to discuss next steps, best practices, and more. Groups represented in the meeting included the Attorney General’s Office, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, Missouri State Highway Patrol, various hospitals, and more. These meetings will be held quarterly to supplement the SAFE Kit program.
Original source can be found here.