Sen. Witkos Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation to Help Sexual Assault Victims on College Campuses
April 15, 2015
Senator Witkos speaks at a bipartisan press conference at the state Capitol osenn Tuesday expressing his support for Senate Bill 966.
Hartford – Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R-8), Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Higher Education Committee, released the following statement regarding the Senate’s unanimous passage of legislation on Tuesday afternoon aimed at helping victims of sexual assault on college campuses.
Senate Bill 966 An Act Concerning Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners at Institutions of Higher Education would extend a sexual assault forensic examination program from six acute care hospitals in the state to college health care facilities – thereby providing the victims of a campus sexual assault with quicker, more compassionate care.
“As a former police officer I fully support the state legislature’s efforts to ensure victims have access to medical care and evidence collection needed to prosecute perpetrators of sexual assault,” said Sen. Witkos. “One of the hardest crimes I ever investigated was sexual assault. It is extremely difficult for victims to share their personal stories about rape and sexual attacks. Coming forward and not only sharing your story, but also sharing evidence that is collected through a medical examination can be a very traumatic experience. By enabling nurses in college campus health centers to perform ‘rape kits’ will help victims by ensuring care and evidence collection is nearby and quicker to access. An important part of the justice process is the ability to collect evidence. This bill aims to make it easier for victims to go through that process, while receiving support in a place they feel safe.”
The legislation would allow SAFE nurses (sexual assault forensic examiners) to treat sexual assault victims who are patients in a health care facility operated by a higher education institution. The health care facility must be licensed by the Department of Public Health (DPH) as an infirmary operated by an educational institution as an outpatient clinic and accredited by the Joint Commission or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
SAFE nurses receive 40 hours of classroom training and have specialized knowledge of legal issues such as chain of custody and courtroom testimony.
This bill now moves to the House of Representatives. The legislative session ends in June.