Grant Details

The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) provides funding through a competitive grant program to support the comprehensive reform of jurisdictions' approaches to sexual assault cases resulting from evidence found in sexual assault kits (SAKs) that have never been submitted to the crime laboratory. The goal of SAKI is the creation of a coordinated community response that ensures just resolution to these cases whenever possible through a victim-centered approach, as well as to build jurisdictions capacity to prevent the development of conditions that lead to high numbers of unsubmitted SAKs in the future.

With funds from the WI Department of Justice's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, sexual assault service providers will:

• Collaborate with local law enforcement to engage in victim-centered notification, communication, and support activities related to previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits;
• Provide direct services to and support for past and current victims of sexual assault;
• Provide cross-training to multidisciplinary partners on the Medical Forensic Exam with Evidence Collection: Information and Options” form and procedure, ensuring that victims consistently receive proper notification of their options in a trauma-informed manner. Initial training on this form and procedure will be provided to applicant agency by DOJ;
• Provide updates and information to their community's sexual assault response team on emerging issues related to the testing of unsubmitted sexual assault kits;
• Work with their community's sexual assault response team to implement and/or establish evidence-based, victim-centered protocols and policies that address sexual assault kit evidence collection, testing, and victim accompaniment during law enforcement interviews or hospital exams;
• Coordinate training for multidisciplinary team on the trauma impact on victims and how this may affect reporting; and
• Collect and report data on victim notification efforts.

Funds may be used for personnel, employee benefits, travel/training, supplies/operating expenses, and consultants/contractual fees necessary to implement the seven required activities detailed above.