PAVSA, the Duluth Police Department and the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office have taken A Step Forward in supporting survivors and responding to reports of sexual violence.

Since announcing the elimination of its sexual assault kits backlog in May 2018, prosecutors, investigators and advocates have put in place safeguards to prevent future backlogs. This campaign highlights three important reforms.

• Prosecution

  The State of Minnesota updated its criminal sexual conduct statutes, including the elimination of the statute of limitations in certain cases, as well as closing the voluntary intoxication loophole.

  Victim-survivors now have more access to justice.

  If you have experienced sexual violence, what happened to you is not your fault.

• Law enforcement

  All unrestricted sexual assault kits are submitted to the state crime laboratory for testing within 60 days. All restricted sexual assault kits are submitted to the state crime lab for storage within 60 days.

  Victim-survivors who report to law enforcement can feel assured that their evidence will be tested.

  If you have experienced sexual violence, you can make a report to police at any time, when you are ready.

• Advocacy

  Track-Kit, a secure web-based portal, allows victim-survivors to track their evidence from the hospital to the state crime laboratory.

  Victim-survivors have a right to know the status of their sexual assault kit.

  If you have experienced sexual violence, we believe you and we believe in you.

Where will I see information about the A Step Forward campaign?

PAVSA and its partners have launched this public awareness campaign to share information about this work. For questions or more information about A Step Forward, please contact us.