West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services

SAKI Resources:
Sexual Assault Survivors

 

Welcome to the WV Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) page designed for those who have been victims of sexual assault and whose sexual assault kits (SAKs) were not previously submitted to the lab or tested. This page contains information about SAKI, contacts and resources for help and support, tips for self-care, and other sexual assault services. Contact information for rape crisis centers throughout WV, national hotlines, and the Victim Information Line is included.

 

Victim FAQs

• Frequently Asked Questions Victims May Have (PDF)
• Victim Notification: Questions from Survivors - National Center for Victims of Crime (PDF)

 

 

SAKI Project Information

The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) is a federal grant-funded program administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The focus of this initiative is to inventory all unsubmitted sexual assault kits and submit these kits to the lab for testing. West Virginia is one of many SAKI sites throughout the country. The program 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 following links provide general information about sexual assault kit (SAK) testing and examples of laws about unsubmitted and/or untested SAKs.

 

• Sexual Assault Kit Backlog and Unsubmitted Kits- National Center for Victims of Crime
  
• Sexual Assault Kit Testing- National Center for Victims of Crime (PDF)

 

 

Resources

 

Brochures and Information

• Brochures and Resources - WVFRIS
  Informational brochures and resources are available for viewing and/or download on a variety of topics related to sexual assault.
• Sexual Assault Victim Information Guide - WVFRIS
  An educational guide is provided that explains support and advocacy, safety planning, medical needs, forensic exams, evidence, and more.
• Survivor Resources - SAKI
  Contact information is provided for national resources for survivor support and advocacy.

 

Brochures - Victim Resource Packets

• DNA: What Victims Need to Know - NCVC.org (PDF)
• Male Survivors of Sexual Assault Brochure (PDF)
• WV SAKI Victim Brochure (PDF)
• Sexual Violence and Stalking Brochure (PDF)
• Understanding Victim Trauma Brochure (PDF)
• Victim Information and Notification (VINE) Guide (PDF)
• What Sexual Assault Victims Need to Know (PDF)

 

Rape Crisis Centers

• Find the Rape Crisis Center Nearest to You
• Crisis Center Brochures (PDFs):
• CONTACT
  (Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, and Mason Counties)
• Family Crisis Intervention Center
  (Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt, and Wood Counties)
• Family Refuge Center
  (Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Pocahontas Counties)
• HOPE, Inc.
  (Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion Counties)
• Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center
  (Monongalia, Preston, Taylor Counties)
• REACH at The Counseling Connection
  (Jackson, Kanawha, Putnam Counties)
  
• Sexual Assault Help Center
  (Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Wetzel Counties)
  
• Shenandoah Women's Center
  (Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan Counties)
  
• Women's Aid in Crisis
  (Barbour, Braxton, Upshur, Randolph, Tucker, Webster Counties)
  
• Women's Resource Center
  (Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Summers Counties)
  

 

VINE

• Victim Notification Network (VINE)
  VINE is a resource that provides a method for victims of crime and other concerned citizens to access timely and reliable information regarding offenders. It is offered free of charge to registrants, is completely confidential, and features multiple language support. Call 1-866-277-7477 (option 2), visit the website above, or use the VINEmobile™ app to anonymously check on an offender’s custody status. You can also register to receive automated notifications about changes in that status via phone, email, or text. TTY (hearing impaired) service is also available.
• Download the VINELink Quick Reference Guide (PDF)

 

WV FRIS

• WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WVFRIS)
  WV’s state sexual assault coalition. A variety of information, resources, educational materials, and more is available.

 

 

Self-Care

Included here are resources and tools to help you through the process of having your Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) tested and the resulting action, whether your case proceeds to investigation and prosecution or does not. Revisiting your assault and the experiences related to it may increase stress, impact your emotions and behavior, and affect your work, home, and/or community life.

 

For additional support, contact your local Rape Crisis Center (see listing above) or the National Sexual Violence Hotline operated by the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-HOPE.

• Finding Your Resilience- National Center for Victims of Crime (PDF)
  
• Free Guided Mindfulness Basics - Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA
  This site provides free guided audio sessions on the basics of mindfulness practices.
  
• Free Weekly Guided Mindfulness Podcasts- Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA
  This site provides an archive of all free weekly guided podcasts on a variety of topics related to
  mindfulness practices.
  
• Practicing Mindfulness Basics- Mindful.org
  
• Self-Care After Trauma- Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) (PDF)
  
• Sexual Assault Victim Resources - National Center for Victims of Crime
  
• Victims' Rights and Sexual Assault Kits - National Center for Victims of Crime

 

 

Victim Information Line | 1-304-848-0444

The Victim Information Line for the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), provides a contact for victims with previously unsubmitted/untested sexual assault kits who have questions about the status of their cases, are seeking additional resources, or want information about the SAKI project.

 

This line will be answered Monday through Friday during regular business hours. This is not a crisis line or hotline. If you leave a message, your call will be returned within 48 hours. For emergencies, please call 911 or go to your local emergency department.  You may also contact the local Rape Crisis Center for current crisis needs. *See the listing of all WV Rape Crisis Centers with contact information above.

 

West Virginia Crime Victims Compensation Fund

You may be eligible for assistance from the WV Crime Victims Compensation Fund, depending on the individual circumstances of the crime you experienced.  Call 1-877-562-6878 or see the following website for eligibility requirements, the application process, and more information.

• WV Crime Victims Compensation Fund Website