Columbia, S.C. – A Closer Look at South Carolina’s Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System
In a recent report that raises significant concerns, the South Carolina Legislative Audit Council (SCLAC) has shed light on the issues surrounding the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) implementation of a statewide sexual assault kit (SAK) tracking system. This audit comes as a response to requests from members of the General Assembly, who sought to determine if SLED was adhering to legal requirements and best practices. They also wanted to see if SLED was collaborating effectively with various stakeholders to enhance how the tracking system operates.
The Purpose of Act 134
Back in 2020, legislation known as Act 134 (H3309, R139) was passed that mandated SLED to develop a sexual assault kit tracking system. The goal? To empower survivors by giving them crucial information and to assist law enforcement in investigations and crime prevention. This tracking system would cover all sexual assault kits in South Carolina, “regardless of when they were collected,” ensuring transparency and building public trust.
So, how does this system work? The idea is to track the journey of a sexual assault kit at every step, starting from the initial evidence collection all the way until the kit is either stored or destroyed after analysis. With access granted to participating entities—including medical facilities, law enforcement, and laboratories—these groups could keep the status of the kits updated. Plus, victims would have the option to track their sexual assault kits anonymously, providing them with updates regarding their cases.
What Did the Audit Uncover?
The audit involved extensive interviews with SLED staff, members of the sexual assault kit task force, and representatives from other state agencies. The council examined the Track-Kit Sexual Assault Kit tracking system provided by InVita Healthcare Technologies and delved into various data sources, such as crime statistics and operation manuals available on SLED’s website, along with insights from the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General.
Among the crucial data SLED was required to report under Act 134 were details like:
- The total number of sexual assault kits in the system
- The number of SAKs that completed forensic analysis
- Kits with pending analysis requests
- Average and median times for analysis completion across the state
Key Findings from the Audit
According to the SCLAC audit, there’s a stark concern: “South Carolina’s sexual assault statistics and Track-Kit data show that the current system of investigating sexual assault offenses is inefficient.” The report points out that without mandated processing and storage times, many victims, including those who are under the age of 18, may face delays in receiving justice.
The emphasis on these statistics indicates the significant need for systemic changes in tracking and investigating sexual assault cases. The audit reminds us of the urgency in ensuring that victims are supported through processes designed to bring accountability and healing.
Looking Ahead
SLED’s response to the audit was released shortly after the report came out, hinting at their commitment to improving both the tracking system and the broader processes concerning sexual assault investigations in South Carolina. The hope is that through transparency and constructive cooperation, SLED can address the highlighted inefficiencies and work towards a more effective system that prioritizes victims’ needs.
This audit is a call to action for both lawmakers and law enforcement. As the system is put to the test, it remains crucial that the voices of survivors are heard, ensuring that they receive the justice they rightly deserve in a timely and respectful manner. In the coming months, South Carolinians will be watching closely to see how these findings will impact policies and practices around such an important issue.
For anyone interested in the detailed findings and recommendations, the complete audit report is available for viewing from SCLAC.
