Senator Agard Testifies In Favor of Sexual Assault Kit Bills

MADISON – Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) testified in front of the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety in favor of Assembly Bills 67 and 87. The two bills are aimed at addressing the backlog of sexual assault kits and have already bipartisanly passed the Senate.

Senator Agard released the following statement regarding the two bills:

“I have championed legislation regarding sexual assault kits and our state’s backlog for three sessions. I have heard from victims and survivors of sexual assault. I carry their stories with me, and have promised them I will work tirelessly on their behalf to create a better system. The bills before the committee today will ensure a procedure is in place that upholds survivors’ dignity, choice, and the right to a fair and just process, protecting those who choose not to report at the time of an assault, or who change their minds.

“We know that sexual violence can be a hard conversation to have, and that reporting can be one of the most challenging steps for a sexual assault survivor to take. Survivors deserve the respect to report when they are ready.

“Assembly Bills 67 and 87 are important pieces of bipartisan legislation for survivors of sexual violence across our state. While it sometimes feels like we are destined to continue operating solely within our own parties, I’m hopeful that these bills can show all Wisconsinites how we can be a better, more deliberative and cooperative body.

“I want to thank the bipartisan group of legislators committed to making these bills a reality. For survivors across our state, it is past time we get these bills passed.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.