HARRISBURG –$2.5 million has been awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice to the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency to improve the state’s ability to support survivors of sexual violence through a new statewide sexual assault kit tracking system. The federal award furthers legislation signed into law in October 2024 as Act 122. It required the establishment of an electronic statewide sexual assault evidence tracking system, enabling survivors to monitor the status of their rape kits throughout the testing process. The bill also enhances the rights of sexual assault victims and mandates reporting by the PA State Police. The federal grant will help launch the system sooner, ensuring faster access for survivors. Sexual assault forensic exams, or “rape kits,” performed by specially trained staff at hospitals and health facilities are vital tools in the fight to improve public safety and ensure that sexual assault survivors are supported and achieve justice.
