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Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)
Project Overview

 

West Virginia’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Project creates local coordinated community responses that ensure:

 

  • the reduction in the future number of unsubmitted sexual assault kits by implementing a protocol/plan to inventory, test and track unsubmitted kits through final adjudication;
  • enhanced investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases through adoption of improved protocols, technology and management systems; and
  • victim notification protocols and enhanced victim services and support.

 

The federal government has estimated that hundreds of thousands of untested sexual assault kits are stored in law enforcement agencies, medical facilities and other sites around the country. A national movement is now focused on moving forward with testing previously unsubmitted kits.

 

West Virginia’s project was originally created to focus only on 16 counties, but additional SAKI funds awarded in 2016 to support expanded investigation and victim services has enabled the project to be implemented throughout the entire state.

 

 

 

Project Contact Information

 

WV Division of Justice and Community Services

Primary Contact:

WV SAKI Site Coordinator

Criminal Justice Specialist II

304-558-8814, Extension 53350

Paula.R.Graves@wv.gov

 

Secondary Contact:

Senior Criminal Justice Specialist

304-558-8814, Extension 53337

Sarah.J.Brown@wv.gov

 

Marshal University Forensic Science Center

Forensic DNA Analyst/Laboratory Coordinator

Phone 304-691-8952

Fax 304-691-8928

marra2@marshall.edu

 

WV Prosecuting Attorneys Institute

Violence Against Women Resource Prosecutor

WV Prosecuting Attorneys Institute

304-558-3348

sherry.s.eling@wv.gov

 

WV State Police Forensic Lab

DNA Section Supervisor

304-746-2270

biochemistry@wvsp.gov

 

WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services

Christina Lipscomb, LICSW, MPA

SAKI Victim Services Coordinator

304-848-0444

ChristinaLwvfris@gmail.com

 

 

Training and Technical Assistance:

 

WV Resources:

 

National Resources: