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Madigan Explains New Rape Kit Exam Law
A new law is aimed at protecting the rights of rape and sexual assault victims.

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed into law the Sexual Assault Evidence Submissions Act, which requires law enforcement agencies to submit evidence collected in a rape or sexual assault case to the Illinois State Police crime lab within 10 business days.

"We must do everything we can to make sure victims of sexual assault get the help they need to start down the road to recovery," Quinn said.

The legislation is the initiative of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan as a response to inconsistencies in the way sexual assaults are handled throughout Illinois. Madigan says because of different policies and procedures at each police department, thousands of rape kits have not been analyzed.

"This law makes Illinois the first state in the nation to require rape kit testing, sending a strong message that law enforcement will pursue justice for children and women who are the primary victims of sexual assault," Madigan said.

Madigan says that once the rape kit gets to the crime lab, it will be processed within six months.

(Illinois Radio Network)
07 11 10 by Newsroom
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