New Jersey Secures $2M Federal Grant for Sexual Assault Case Tracking System

Attorney General Platkin champions transparency and support for sexual assault survivors with innovative SAFE Kit tracking initiative.

Morristown, NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced a significant advancement in support for sexual assault survivors with a $2 million federal grant awarded to New Jersey to establish a state-of-the-art tracking system for Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) Kits. This system promises to offer survivors a transparent and accessible way to monitor the progress of their cases, marking a major stride in victim support and criminal justice processes.

The grant, stemming from the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, aims to provide survivors with the ability to track their SAFE Kits—essential evidence in sexual assault cases—ensuring their timely and transparent processing.

"Survivors of sexual violence in our state and beyond deserve an investigative process that is accessible and devoid of confusion. Giving these survivors tracking access during the evidence collection and review process and throughout their trials will allow them to regain control in some form while they begin to heal," said Governor Murphy.

The new system is not just a logistical upgrade but a part of a broader, compassionate response to sexual violence. It allows survivors to track their SAFE Kits and the associated legal proceedings, offering them a measure of autonomy in the aftermath of trauma.

"The ability to track one’s own Kit and case will provide individuals some sense of ease in a long process of healing," said Lt. Governor Tahesha Way.

“While we cannot erase the pain that survivors of sexual abuse have endured, we can provide them with the tools and transparency they need to regain control over their lives,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The introduction of this tracking system is a monumental step that will empower survivors to obtain information on their cases at any time, bolstering their agency and supporting them during their healing process.”

J. Stephen Ferketic, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice, highlighted the system's impact on law enforcement's ability to keep survivors informed, emphasizing accountability for offenders and continued support for victims.

Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance, outlined the system's broader implications: "The creation of a statewide SAFE Kit tracking system will ease burdens for survivors, offer us an opportunity to implement data-informed policy and practice reforms, and expand the principles of creating a survivor-centered, trauma-informed system that responds to the needs of the victims and survivors we serve."

Dr. Kristin Golden, Chief Data Officer of the Office of Justice Data, also commented on the system's potential to deploy resources effectively and prevent sexual assault through pattern identification.

“This system will help ensure survivor resources are deployed where they are most needed and can help identify patterns of victimization instrumental in supporting sexual assault prevention efforts,” said Dr. Kristin Golden, Chief Data Officer of the Office of Justice Data.

In line with these efforts, earlier this year, Attorney General Platkin issued a directive extending the mandatory retention period for DNA evidence in sexual assault cases from five to 20 years. This ensures that evidence remains available if survivors decide to proceed with their cases at a later date.

Moreover, the directive standardizes statewide protocols for evidence management and underscores the prohibition against evidence dismissal based on preconceptions about the nature of the assault.

This initiative is a result of a concerted effort by the DCJ, the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance, the Office of Justice Data, and the New Jersey State Police, reflecting a unified stance against sexual assault.

The Office of the Attorney General, alongside the Murphy Administration and other key stakeholders, remains dedicated to empowering survivors with the necessary resources to heal and achieve justice, reinforcing the state's commitment to combat sexual violence.

The introduction of the SAFE Kit tracking system stands as a beacon of progress in New Jersey's victim-centered approach to criminal justice, ensuring that the voices and rights of survivors are at the forefront of legal proceedings and support mechanisms.