Urge Congress to Support Common Sense Rape Survivor Rights

Urge Congress to Support Common Sense Rape Survivor Rights

Started
January 5, 2016
Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 129,026 supporters!

Why this petition matters

Started by Amanda Nguyen

On a brisk October afternoon, I left for an appointment at a rape crisis center. Fifteen minutes later, I faced a challenge more daunting than the rape that brought me there: America's unequal justice system for rape survivors.

I struggled to have my basic rights recognized by the criminal justice system. Through my fight, I learned that survivor rights are not equal across the US. Over forty states have backlogs in untested kits. Some states do not cover the full medical expenses of a kit, leaving survivors to pay their own way towards justice.

A handful of states don’t even notify the survivor when they permanently dispose of a rape kit. Instead, different states provide different rights. Even worse, no states provide survivors with all of the common-sense rights they deserve.

My fight is not mine alone. Instead, it is a crisis for 25 million survivors across America, and I've come together with citizens, advocates, and legislators to do something about it. We're fighting for a comprehensive Bill of Rights for all survivors, including:

  • The right to be notified of your rights in clear language
  • The right to know your own medical information from your own rape kit
  • The right not to have to pay for your own rape kit
  • The right to a copy of your own police report

After my experience, I wanted to help others. So I started an organization called Rise, dedicated to protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Today, we're close to an important victory. We've introduced legislation in the U.S. Congress that would help protect these rights across our country, so that justice does not depend on geography. But we need your help.

Join us by signing this petition and calling on your Senators and Representatives to pass this important legislation now.

Amanda Nguyen

President & Founder, Rise

Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 129,026 supporters!

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