The Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill, SB 129 and AB 377, which overwhelmingly passed through the Senate, must now make it through the Assembly in order for hospitals to enact its provisions. Unfortunately, there is anticipated opposition in the Assembly and the future of this bill is uncertain.
Because of its nature, to aid victims of a crime, the Assembly needs to pass this bill. Although there may be moral qualms because the bill would ensure that hospital officials give information on emergency contraception to rape victims and, if requested, dispense emergency contraception, lawmakers must consider the health and emotional well-being of the victim.
Another rape victim-related bill awaits judgment in the Assembly and lawmakers must pass it as well. This bill would require the state to fund the exams performed post-rape during which crucial DNA evidence is collected in order to, hopefully, convict the rapist at a future trial.
The cost of funding these procedures is well worth the money, but highlights an issue from last year's Attorney General race: the DNA backlog.
According to the Department of Justice in 2006, of the 2,226 cases requiring DNA testing, only 1,152 were provided with the testing. Clearly, the magnitude of cases that did not have their potential DNA evidence addressed calls for more attention. Lawmakers proposing and voting in favor of legislation related to DNA testing, such as the rape victim-related bills, need to understand the necessity of addressing the DNA backlog.
In March, the Joint Finance Committee, provoked by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, voted to add 31 positions to aid in the reduction of the DNA backlog.
Unfortunately, the 31 state employees, as of now, have not begun their jobs.
Fortunately, Van Hollen made statements at the end of the summer to the Wisconsin Radio Network saying Wisconsin has reduced the DNA backlog with 1,800 cases still requiring processing. Van Hollen also said Wisconsin processed 57 percent more DNA cases in 2007 than 2006. The lack of the 31 employees will ultimately impede the DNA backlog reduction, with no end in sight until 2010.
The state employees must complete their training, and bills that relate to rape victims need to be passed unimpeded so Wisconsin can finally eliminate the DNA backlog and help rape victims receive justice.
