LANSING – In order to provide better services and funding for organizations that perform services to treat sexual assault victims for physical and psychological trauma and evidence-gathering for prosecutions, the House of Representatives today passed The Sexual Assault Victims' Medical Forensic Intervention and Treatment Act with broad bipartisan support.
"It is important that Michigan is known as a state where sexual assault victims receive prompt and compassionate emergency care from staff that understands and are trained in victimization issues," said Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak), lead sponsor of the plan. "This plan addresses how sexual assault victims are treated during the investigation and how evidence is gathered."
Donigan explained funding for the Sexual Assault Nurses Examiners (SANE) program would be established with money raised through an increase in the fines and assessments assigned to both adults and juveniles who have been convicted of a felony or other serious misdemeanors. The increased fees would go to the Justice System Fund. The fund is split between a large number of police and corrections entities. The Sexual Assault Victims' Medical Forensic Intervention and Treatment Fund would receive 2.7 percent of the fund distributions as a result of the increase in fines.
The state's Domestic Violence and Treatment Board will distribute funds to entities that perform the procedures required by sexual assault evidence kits; provide specialized assistance to victims; operate in a partnership with a local sexual assault crisis counselor; comply with the standards and practices of the International Association of Forensic Nurse Examiners or its successor organization; provide access to forensic medical intervention and treatment services 24 hours a day; and provide for forensic medical intervention training and technical assistance for staff members.
Providing testimony at Wednesday's Judiciary Committee hearing were Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney John Hallacy, Calhoun County SANE Program Coordinator Phyllis Van Order, and Calhoun County Sexual Assault Services' Joyce Siegel.
Hallacy explained that prosecuting sexual assault assailants is a difficult process that requires more than just the immediate collection of physical evidence like DNA and sperm, but carefully collected photographic evidence of the victim's injuries and the expertise and experience SANE professionals have of sexual assault cases.
"The program is invaluable for law enforcement investigations and police prosecutions," Hallacy said. "Sexual assault is a horrible crime, and the damage could last lifelong for the victim. When doctors and nurses are not properly trained or compassionate, re-victimization could take place."
The bills have been endorsed by the Michigan State Police, the Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the Michigan Sheriffs' Association.
"This plan addresses several problems in the medical-legal response to sexual assault victims, and this is one of the most important issues the Judiciary Committee has dealt with this year," said State Representative Paul Condino (D-Southfield), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. "Sexual assault victims must receive prompt and compassionate emergency care from staff that understand and are trained in victimization issues."