Wasserman Schultz Statement on President Obama's Signing of Landmark Sexual Assault Law

Washington, DC, October 7, 2016
Finally, with the signing of this bill into law, sexual assault survivors can count on a strong, comprehensive statute that protects their basic human rights. Although these basic protections are long overdue, I am proud that this newly-enacted law will help many more sexual assault survivors seek the justice they rightfully deserve. The law includes critical provisions such as ensuring survivors have the right to not be charged for a forensic exam, the right to 60 days' notice prior to the destruction of a rape kit, and the right to have a rape kit preserved throughout a state's statute of limitations period.

Wasserman Schultz Statement on President Obama’s Signing of Landmark Sexual Assault Law

 U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement today after President Barack Obama signed H.R. 5578, the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016 into law. It contained the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act (H.R. 5571), which Rep. Wasserman Schultz sponsored and authored in the House of Representatives:

“Finally, with the signing of this bill into law, sexual assault survivors can count on a strong, comprehensive statute that protects their basic human rights. Although these basic protections are long overdue, I am proud that this newly-enacted law will help many more sexual assault survivors seek the justice they rightfully deserve. The law includes critical provisions such as ensuring survivors have the right to not be charged for a forensic exam, the right to 60 days’ notice prior to the destruction of a rape kit, and the right to have a rape kit preserved throughout a state’s statute of limitations period.

“We must use this important victory as further motivation and inspiration in our efforts to improve our nation’s protections for and eradicate any discrimination against sexual assault survivors. It was an honor to work with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Rep. Lamar Smith, Rep. Mimi Walters and Rep. Zoe Lofgren to pass this legislation in Congress and I thank the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence; the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN); the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; the National Domestic Violence Hotline; and Jewish Women International, for their inspiring advocacy. I commend President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and the entire Administration on their critical work to educate the public about this crisis in our nation."

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Contact:

Geoff Burgan, Geoff.Burgan@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931