§20109 Sexual assault survivors’ notification grants

Summary

The Attorney General may give grants to States so they can make and share written notices that tell sexual assault survivors about their rights and related policies. States that get a grant must try to make sure survivors who say they are survivors and agree to get information receive a written notice covering seven topics, including no fees for an evidence kit, the right to a medical forensic exam whether or not they report to police, access to an advocate, protective orders and how they are enforced, how kits are stored or disposed of, how to ask to preserve evidence, and victim compensation. Grant recipients must give the notice to hospitals, forensic examiners, sexual assault service providers, state and local law enforcement, and other state agencies that serve survivors. They must also post the notice on the State Attorney General’s website. The Attorney General can offer help and guidance, and any new system can be added into an existing case management system if it follows the rules.