Women’s Commission Urges Michigan Police To Handle Rape Kits Properly, Will Raise Issue With AG

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By Doug Cuningham

Michigan’s Women’s Commission is calling on every law enforcement agency in the state to review all policies and procedures regarding preservation and processing of rape evidence kits. The goal is to make sure such evidence isn’t prematurely destroyed or ignored in rape cases.

Michigan Women’s Commission Executive Director Mary Engelman says the early destruction of rape evidence kits is “for all practical purposes the elimination of hope for survivors.” She’s calling on Michigan law enforcement to make sure they have sound policies in place for how they’re treating these kits in rape cases.

“When you’re dealing with our survivors – to ensure that you have processes and policies in place to ensure the integrity of the rape kits. Because what happens is that is a critical part of the evidence to prosecute people. And so if they are destroyed then that evidence is gone.”

Engelman says she wants to discuss the rape evidence kits issue with newly elected Attorney General Dana Nessel to make sure Michigan is doing all it can to properly handle rape evidence processing statewide.

“There needs to be justice for the survivors. Absolutely. Is there going to be conversation that I would like to have with the Attorney General? Yes.”

An investigative report by CNN aired November 29th found at least 25 police agencies in 14 states, including Michigan, had destroyed rape evidence kits before the cases had been completed.