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Hello #ChangeMakers,
It’s not often that we have an opportunity to celebrate a victory for gender equality as important as the one that occurred this week in Congress. On Tuesday, the Sexual Assault Survivor’s Bill of Rights unanimously passed in the U.S. House (it had previously passed in the Senate). That law provides that sexual assault survivors in federal criminal cases have a right to an evidence collection kit, a right to be notified in writing before the kit is destroyed, and the right to request that their kit be preserved and to be informed of the results when the kit is tested for DNA. Soon, after minor differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill are reconciled, the bill will be on its way to President Obama’s desk for signature.
The Bill itself reflects the best of what can happen when partisan rancor is set aside in order to move important legislation forward. Co-sponsored by two California lawmakers, Democrat Zoe Lofgren and Republican Mimi Walters, the bill was inspired by the incredible work of three women who determined to change the system after experiencing unacceptable obstacles when trying to seek redress for their own sexual assaults. Determined to make sure that other sexual assault survivors didn’t undergo the same trauma in the criminal justice system that they had, Amanda Nguyen, Lara McLeod and Marisa Ferri set about to change things.
Below, we highlight RISE, an organization founded by Amanda and one that is working to pass this Bill of Rights in every state as well. I am in awe of the resilience of these three women, their courage to share their stories and their willingness to fight to change the climate for sexual assault survivors going forward.
As Representative Lofgren said upon the bill’s passage: “You are not weak victims. You are strong and powerful actors.” Well said. And Brava to #ChangeMakers Amanda, Lara and Marisa! We all owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude.
xo,
- Wendy
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