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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.
- For more information about the SAKI Project: SAKI Project Site
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
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:
- www.sakitta.org
- Project Resources, Strategies, and Guidelines - Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)
- Training and Technical Assistance Webinars - Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)
SAKI Webinars: The SAKI Training and Technical Assistance website offers a variety of webinars to provide guidance and training on topics including: completing kit inventories, testing, tracking kits, victim interviewing and investigation tips, prosecution, victim notification, trauma, and more. Each webinar has a registration link. You will need to complete the registration and log-in to view both current and archived webinars. - Best Practices - End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI)