News

Summit prosecutor urges community to ‘Start By Believing’ rape victims
— Stephanie Warsmith, Beacon Journal, Apr 3, 2020

Akron’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) began a social media campaign to commemorate SAAM. “Our hope is that when other victims/survivors see how diligently the SAKI unit is working to improve our responses to victims/survivors of sexual assault, many more will find the strength and courage to report their victimization,” Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh stated.

DNA search warrant leads to rape arrest in Kansas cold case 17 years later
— Jason Tidd, The Wichita Eagle, Apr 1, 2020

Kansas law enforcement officers have made a rape arrest following a breakthrough in a cold case from 17 years ago based on DNA.

Accused serial rapist linked to 8 metro Atlanta cold cases captured
— Jason Braverman, 11 Alive, Mar 4, 2020

District Attorney Sherry Boston said the alleged rapist, 58-year-old Wesley Cooley, is linked to eight cold cases over nearly two decades. Cooley was identified through the efforts of the sexual assault task force. Five of the sexual assaults took place in DeKalb County.

A man has been sentenced to 12 life sentences for a dozen Atlanta rapes
— Everett Catts, The Neighbor, Mar 3, 2020

A man who sexually assaulted a dozen women has been sentenced to 12 consecutive life sentences, according to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.

Dozens of lawyers volunteer to help prosecute rape kit backlog cases
— Brittany Bade, KRQE, Mar 3, 2020

The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office is rolling out a new initiative to prevent another devastating and dangerous backlog in the court system.

New data released from Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
— NBC 15, Feb 20, 2020

As of February 20, 2020 Wiscon DOJ's SAKI initiative has tested 4,472 sexual assault kits, added 1,038 sexual assault kits to CODIS, reviewed 1,406 cases, referred 40 cases for a charging decision, and total of 12 criminal cases have been filed.

New Durham police unit aims to clear backlog of unsolved sex assaults
— Sarah Krueger, WRAL, Feb 18, 2020

"We’re here for the survivors of all these cases," he said. "Even though it may be 20, 30 years ago, we’re still going to keep working them."

Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Training Aims to Educate, Ease Backlogs
— Timothy Despain, Alaska Native News, Feb 18, 2020

Alaska SAKI completed a statewide training. Colonel Bryan Barlow of the Alaska State Troopers stated, “We owe it to the survivors of these crimes to investigate and follow through on all reported sexual assaults. The SAKI best practices classes are critical to closing the loop on justice and providing closure to survivors across Alaska.”

APD: Man arrested after DNA links him to two cold cases
— Christina Rodriguez, KOB 4, Feb 14, 2020

DNA evidence from previously unsubmitted SAK leads to arrest of offender in two rapes, 1 that occured in Albuquerque in 1997 and 1 that occured in Mountain View, CA in 2004.

Eric Hill indicted for rape of Texas man beneath Treme overpass
— Orleans Parish District Attorney, Feb 13, 2020

District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office on Thursday (Feb. 13) secured an indictment charging a New Orleans felon identified through DNA results with the rape of a Texas man beneath a Treme freeway overpass in May 2017.