SAKI

We Help Hold Offenders Accountable

Bridging Hope is proud to be a part of the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). This program, which is part of the Office of Justice, provides funding to enhance the criminal justice response to sexual assault and hold offenders accountable by maximizing evidence found in sexual assault kits. Administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, SAKI aims to create a coordinated response that ensures an effective resolution to sexual assault and other violent crimes.

Learn More About SAKI

How SAKI Works

SAKI supports the investigation and prosecution of cases and provides a comprehensive and victim-centered approach. The results improve law enforcement’s ability to submit sexual assault kits to crime laboratories for processing. SAKI sites, both currently and previously funded, represent 44 states and the District of Columbia – including the one at Bridging Hope.

Why SAKI Helps

SAKI offers expertise and assistance to law enforcement jurisdictions as they establish widespread, evidence-based, sustainable practices for collecting and processing forensic evidence. It also aids in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases by ensuring proper and consistent processing of evidence from new and previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs).

SAKI also:

  • Provides funding to agencies to inventory, track, and test previously unsubmitted or un-tested sexual assault kits.
  • Supports the upload of DNA profiles from tested kits into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) – which helps identify perpetrators and solve cold cases.
  • Supports victim notifications about CODIS hits, linking survivors to advocates and services, and improving victim-centered approaches.
  • Improves cold case investigations by allowing for the pursuit of leads generated by CODIS hits.
  • Tracks evidence by ensuring that SAKs are properly managed and processed.
Victim Notification for Survivors

In 2017, the Sexual Assault Kit Victim Notification Portal was created to assist survivors of sexual assault who believe their sexual assault kit may not have been previously tested. Survivors can visit notify.svrga.org to communicate their preferences regarding notification of reopened investigations and prosecutions.

Goals for SAKI

The main goal for SAKI is to better facilitate and integrate all members of the support team surrounding sexual assault incidents. This includes law enforcement, forensic analysts, medical support teams – including Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners – advocates for survivors and family members of survivors, and case management professionals.

Safe Exit