#rape kit

[rapeculturerealities]

Gov. Newsom signs bill to protect sexual assault victims' DNA

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a state Senate bill into law Friday that prohibits the DNA collected from sexual assault victims to be used for anything other than identifying the suspect.

Senate Bill 1228 was introduced by San Francisco Senator Scott Wiener after the San Francisco Police Department was accused of using DNA from a victim’s rape kit to link her to a separate suspected crime earlier this year. When victims report a sexual assault, they can consent to a sexual assault examination, where biological evidence from bodily fluids, fingernail scrapings, and bite and scratch marks is collected from the victim’s body.

The victim submits their own DNA sample in order to exclude their DNA from an investigation. Additional samples may be collected from those who have close contact with the victim, such as consensual sexual partners and family members.

Federal law already prohibits the inclusion of victims’ DNA in the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the DNA database used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This corresponding state law prohibits local authorities from retaining and using the sexual assault victims’ DNA samples for other purposes.

[truestoriesinfiction]

i have once again decided my sense of being secure in this world is dispensable and am about to go google what a rape kit actually is. there will be a description of one in the opening scene though it will not be used for its intended purpose thankfully

[don-lichterman]

Josh Stein: 2020 campaign investigation is unconstitutional

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein holds a press conference outside the Durham County Courthouse on June 28, 2021. Julia Wall jwall@newsobserver.com RALEIGH Attorney General Josh Stein’s 2020 campaign is facing a criminal investigation — but the law it’s based on is outdated and unconstitutional, he argued Thursday in court filings as well as in an interview with The News &…

[rapeculturerealities]

Five Ways the Media-Driven Rape Kit ‘Backlog’ Narrative Gets it Wrong - The Appeal

Beyond dominating national and local headlines, the rape kit “backlog” has even become an element of pop culture, with Joe Biden appearing as himself on Law & Order: SVU to commend Detective Benson on her work to “end the backlog.” Hargitay, a fictional sex crimes detective on a show that glorifies law enforcement, is a perfect spokesperson for a narrative that glosses over police failings.

The backlog narrative doesn’t only ignore law enforcement’s unwillingness to take responsibility — it enables it. That’s because it obscures the actual criminal justice policies and practices, like broken-windows policing and other “tough-on-crime” measures, that led law enforcement to de-prioritize violent crime.

[shirkers2018dirsanditan]

the bad faith people are obsessed with having with defund the police is so reactionary and obnoxious. i did hope that the dialogue that 2020 opened up would last but it was inevitable that the economic turmoil of the pandemic would lead to a rise in crime which would get politicians going like they always do, demonizing the urban poor and raising the specter of the Black Hoodlum or the Immigrant Rapist/Murderer/Terrorist, and the local tv news would go into overdrive leading with any and all bleeding. still none of that explains or excuses why otherwise liberal people would act like advocates for defunding the police have not been clear the entire time that their goal is a reallocation of resources. you know that is exactly what they mean. you are being deliberately obtuse and for what? so you can sit comfortably alongside joe biden politically?

[uboat53]

Well, I did a federal law, how about new California laws coming into effect this new year? Here's a few that might interest people:

1) The minimum wage is rising from $15 an hour to $15.50 an hour.

2) It's going to be illegal to charge more for a similar product marketed to women.

3) The Attorney General is going to create a reporting system where you can report stolen items that show up in online marketplaces.

4) It'll be illegal to use DNA from rape kits for any purpose other than identifying the rapist.

5) People will only be allowed to buy catalytic converters from certain specified sellers. There's been a huge increase in catalytic converter theft recently and the state is trying to crack down on it by limiting the ability to cash in on the theft.

6) Most pedestrian traffic violations are being removed unless poses a traffic hazard or risks a crash.

7) The definition of "gross negligence" is being expanded as it relates to vehicular manslaughter.

8) A new system is being set up to allow CHP to send out an alert when an indigenous person has been reported missing, similar to amber, blue, and silver alerts.

Source

[spoekelse]

"parasocial relationships" and "stan culture" and "queerbaiting" and dark tiktok microcommunities are interesting sociological concepts and all, but I think we spend WAY too much time talking about them, and not enough time talking about creating/reinforcing irl communities that will pave the way to revolution. we need to worry about spreading class consciousness. twitter is hell, being cancelled feels like shit, all of this is true. but people are starving.

[menalez]

Why do they read rapist and immediately think ‘this will hurt lgbt people’

on one end i can agree that the state cannot be trusted to treat such a precedent like "allow human experimentations on a certain group of people" well and honestly and transparently. and that creating such a precedent will ultimately result in minority groups being disproportionately impacted bc there is already a bias in who gets incarcerated and punished. on another end, rapists are notoriously hardly ever prosecuted so like while its a nice idea in theory to have them suffer for putting others thru often lifelong suffering, theres a good chance actual rapists still wont face consequences bc they already overwhelmingly barely even see a day in jail. and then lastly its true that sometimes homophobes will use language like "groomers" and "predators" to refer to innocent things like idk giving children basic sex ed and that sex ed including conversation about sexual orientation & safe sex in same sex relationships (bc shocker, ppl of diff sexual orientations will exist whether kids know the terms for it or not & safe sex is important for the well-being of ppl of all sexualities not just OSA people). so i kinda get their arguments ngl, i think the justice system and the prison industrial complex would have to change significantly before we can even entertain an idea as potentially dangerous as "we should allow human experimentation on this group of incarcerated peoples"

[blooming-fire-au]

Content warning: Mentioned rape, claimed child death/stillbirth, abuse

Names: Dawnkit, Dawnpaw, Dawncloud

Orientation: Frayromantic lesbian

Gender and pronouns: Nonbinary molly, she/they. Prefers molly over charlie

Canon counterpart: Dawncloud

Clan(s): ShadowClan

Parents: Deerleap, Crowtail. Sired by Blizzardwing

Half-Siblings: Blackstar, Flintfang, Fernshade, Mosspaw, Volewhisper, Dewpaw

Mate(s): Brokenstar (forced, ex)

Kit(s): Dustpelt, Ravenheart, Swampkit, Blossomkit

Mentor(s): Frogtail

Description: A small, pale ginger tabby molly with a very pale, almost white, underside. She has barely-visible pale brown tabby patches on her lower back and tail, and white rings around her eyes. She has amber eyes with flecks of blue in them, and her fur is short.

Personality: Dawncloud was always a shy individual. Growing up as an only kit to their two mothers, the kits closest in age to her were Lizardstripe’s kits, and they only got along well with Sleetkit. As she grew up, they became less shy and more of a lone wolf, though they did form a strong bond with their mentor Frogtail. However, everything falls apart when Brokentail became Brokenstar. He immediately took her as a mate against her will, and she was soon expecting his kits. Fearful of what ShadowClan was becoming, when they felt their kits were coming they ran to the ThunderClan border and had their kits inside ThunderClan territory. A patrol found Dawncloud during that time, and she begged them to take her kits and keep them safe, claiming she wasn’t ready to be a mother (which... she wasn’t, but that wasn’t the main reason). The leader of the patrol, Robinwing, has mercy on Dawncloud and agrees to take the kits and raise them herself, as she had experienced a phantom pregnancy and was able and willing to nurse them. Dawncloud claimed their kits were stillborn, which Brokenstar takes out on his next “mate” Stumpytail. Seeing what happened to Stumpytail, as well as Mosspaw--who had been apprenticed at only 3 moons old and was killed during training--Dawncloud knew she made the right choice. Even if they would be forced into the nursery again with another litter of kits a few seasons later, at least their sons were safe in ThunderClan...

[leechs]

i didn’t even bother going to the police for all of my sexual assault and domestic violence incidents like it seemed almost laughable to do because even women who are the perfect demographic of what makes a believable victim they get treated like shit and dont win much less me 

[strelles-universe]

Brokentail's Band: Brokentail

Name: Brokentail, Brokenstar

Meaning: Unconnected and Obedient

Identity: Cisgender Tom - He/Him

Orientation: Heterosexual - Aromantic

Rank: Prisoner

Former Rank(s): Guard, Deputy, Executioner, Leader

A large brown tabby tom with matted fur and a flat faced named for the broken tabby stripes across his back and orange eyes. Brokentail has horizontal clawmarks over his face rendering him blind.

A real nasty piece of work, Brokentail raised by a foster mother who never wanted kits being spoiled by his dad. His foster mother did almost nothing to defend him from the rumors of outsider blood even after his father, Raggedstar deemed the matter closed. Despite the whispers, Brokentail was always arrogant and self assured of his place in the world. Being the son of the leader, it was always known that he’d succeed Raggedstar in one way or another.

Brokentail was apprenticed early at five moons with the rest of his foster litter and named a warrior before all of them. He was considered the clan’s rising star for his ferocity in battle and ruthless lack of cooperation with the other clans. Any battle Brokentail was in, his side won the clan would claim.

A mere half moon after he earned his warrior name, Raggedstar skipped over his more experienced warriors and named Stumpypaw his apprentice. Brokentail was a harsh and fearsomeone mentor- his praise was rare and his punishments severe. He repeated brushed off the medic, Yellowfang’s concerns and worries about his apprentice’s safety. As soon as Stumpytail received his warrior name, Brokentail was made both Raggedstar’s deputy and Executioner.

This was exactly what the ambitious tom wanted and he waited with growing anticipation. Raggedstar had admitted to still having 7 lives at that point. He allowed Raggedstar to be killed by a rat during a fight at Carrionplace, he destroyed herbs sent by Yellowfang costing Raggedstar two more lives. He goaded ThunderClan into a fight and refused to assist him when the agitated cat killed Raggedstar to end the raid and fed him poisoned prey later. His final act was taking a patrol with Raggedstar alone where he brutally murdered his father then claimed it was a WindClan patrol taking revenge for a former invasion.

When Brokenstar went to receive his nine lives, he entered the Canyons and -much to his frustration- only received five. Still, he now had the mark of a leader on his brow (albeit a strange one) and began making sweeping decisions. Blackfoot was elected as his deputy and Executioner.

He made the ShadowClan apprentice age, 3 moons old and trained them ruthlessly. Warriors were removed from hunting duties and are made to train apprentice and fight near exclusively. Elders and non-nursing queens were kicked from the camp and made to fend for themselves instead of ‘forcing’ the warriors to care for them. Apprentices are responsible for attending all of their training but also to hunt for the entire clan themselves. He accused his medic of killing kits after she annoyed him for the last time about his harsh training tactics and had her executed.

Brokenstar intended to expand ShadowClan’s realm of influence as far as he could and started by attacking WindClan and driving them from their home under the  banner of retaliation for Raggedstar’s death. He also pressured RiverClan into sharing territory under threat of invasion and intended to either drive ThunderClan from the forest or erase them. 

Brokenstar was finally driven from ShadowClan by the combined might of ThunderClan and an enraged ShadowClan when it came out that he murdered his own father and their leader. The parting blows he took resulted in him losing his first life.

Brokenstar took a mate in the rogue, Hound for a very short period of time while living as a rogue. When she revealed herself to be pregnant, he held her against her will and terrorized her, pleased with the idea of having an heir. Hound bided her time, giving birth to two kits Bark and Mask. Brokentail took and killed Bark the second he found out he was male to prevent his kit from growing up to kill him like he killed his own father and allowed Hound to nurse Mask. When Hound could stand firmly on her own four paws, she viciously ripped his throat out, took Mask and ran away. Hound hasn’t been seen since and Brokentail, furious lost two lives.

He later launched a raid on ThunderClan that failed fantastically after attempting to stage a war between then and ShadowClan. He intended to kill the medic easily and move on unknowing that Spottedleaf was more than capable of caring for herself. Spottedleaf took his fourth life from him and blinded him.

He now resides in ThunderClan a prisoner, endlessly enraged by his knew rank and yearning for a chance to return to his former glory.

Mentor: Nightstar, Raggedstar (unofficial)

Apprentice(s): Stumpytail, Mosspaw (deceased), Volepaw (deceased)

Parents: Yellowfang (dame/deceased), Lizardstripe (foster dame), Raggedstar (father/deceased)

Sibling(s): Brindlekit (sister/deceased), Dapplekit (sister/deceased)

Mate(s): Hound (former/unwilling)

Kit(s): Bark (son/deceased), Mask (daughter)

[finder-of-rings]

.

[mortaljortlebortles]

The backlog exists everywhere and we need to do something about it!!

Sexual and sexually motivated crimes need to be investigated and prioritised further.

I want to live in a world in which there is justice and parity- AND NO S/A or ABUSE. And where no survivor is afraid to speak out or blamed.

Support in the UK :

The NHS Website :Help after rape and sexual assault - NHS (www.nhs.uk) explains the process of getting help and support

Victim Support

Victim Support operates a free and confidential 24/7 SupportLine and live chat service, every day of the year - offering specialist support to anyone who has been a victim of crime or a witness. If you’d prefer to access interactive self-support guides, visit My Support Space.

Telephone: 0808 16 89 111

Live chat: victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat

My Support Space: mysupportspace.org.uk/MoJ

More information can be found at www.victimsupport.org.uk

 In England and Wales- Rape Crisis https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/ 0808 500 2222

The Rape Crisis National Helpline offers confidential emotional support, information and referral details.

Telephone: 0808 802 9999

Opening hours: 24 hours, every day of the year

More information including opening hours and access to our live chat service can be found online at www.rapecrisis.org.uk.

The Survivors Trust (Ireland +UK)

The Survivors Trust provides confidential information, advice and support for women, men and young people, their parents/carers or partners via a helpline or email.

Telephone: 08088 010818

Email: info@thesurvivorstrust.org

More information including opening hours can be found at www.thesurvivorstrust.org

National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Service

The National Male Survivor Helpline is a confidential helpline for male victims of sexual violence and abuse. They also provide emotional support via telephone, SMS (text), live chat and email.

Telephone: 0808 800 5005 Email: support@safeline.org.uk Text: 07860 065187

Please access our live chat service via our website at https://www.safeline.org.uk/contact-us

Now open 7 days a week. For more information, including specific opening hours, visit www.safeline.org.uk

Galop - for members of the LGBT+ community

If you are a member of the LGBT+ community and experienced sexual assault, abuse, or violence, Galop runs a specialist helpline.

Telephone: 0800 999 5428 Email: help@galop.org.uk

More information including opening hours can be found at Galop.

NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)

NAPAC offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. Information including opening hours can be found on NAPAC’s website which offers a large range of resources for survivors, as well as those who care for and work with them. NAPAC also offer a support email service for those who feel more comfortable seeking support in writing.

Private and confidential helpline: 0808 801 0331 Email: support@napac.org.uk

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)

Sexual assault referral centres - or SARCs - provide a safe space and dedicated care, through the NHS, for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and are here for everyone, regardless of when the incident happened. They are located across the country and offer specialist practical, medical and emotional support 24/7.

SARCs offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections. They can also arrange access to an independent sexual violence advisor, as well as referrals to mental health support and voluntary sector sexual violence support services.

To find a SARC near you please visit the NHS website.

Guide to support options for abuse - Mind

Support in the US:

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network Sexual Assault Hotline 1.800.656.4673 | www.rainn.org

National Child Abuse Hotline 1.800.422.4453 | www.childhelp.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800.799.7233 | www.ndvh.org

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1.866.331.9474 | www.loveisrespect.org