Establishing a Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System

Policy Committee    September 23, 2022

PHOENIXVILLE, SEPT. 23-- The Senate and House Democratic Policy Committees convened a joint hearing that focused the need to establish a statewide rape kit tracking system in Pennsylvania. The hearing took place at the Upper Providence Township Building in Phoenixville and featured three panels of testimony from members of law enforcement, victim advocates, and survivors of sexual assault. 

Host + Testifiers

• Hosts: Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and Sen. Katie Muth (D- Berks, Chester, Montgomery)
• Testifiers:
  • Laquisha Anthony, Survivor
  • Sarah, Survivor
  • Debra A. Calhoun, Pennsylvania State Police, Scientific Services Division Director
  • Sgt. James Holstein, Pennsylvania State Police
  • Kevin Steele, District Attorney of Montgomery County
  • Donna Greco, Policy Director, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)
  • Mary Onama, Director, Montgomery County Rape Crisis Center

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and list of participants: Establishing a Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System

Media Release + News Coverage

• Policy Hearing Addresses Critical Need to Establish Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System, September 23, 2022
• WESA, The state legislature could establish a statewide rape-kit tracking system, September 23, 2022
• CBS 3 Philadelphia, PA Lawmakers Push for Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System, September 23, 2022
• WGAL, Rape survivors urge Pennsylvania lawmakers to make it easier to track evidence in their cases, September 23, 2022
• Pennsylvania Capital-Star, Lawmakers hear about challenges victims, law enforcement face processing rape kits, September 23, 2022

Photos

• Click here to view photos from this hearing
• Click here to view the hearing in its entirety