Wisconsin DOJ Reaches Major Milestone in Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
WAUSAU, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced a significant achievement in its decade-long Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), confirming that nearly all previously untested sexual assault kits in the state have now been processed.
The initiative, led by the Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Response Team (AG SART), was launched to address the backlog of unsubmitted kits sitting in hospitals and law enforcement evidence rooms.
The Scope of the Initiative
Since its inception, the AG SART has worked with state and national partners to ensure that sexual assault kits are created, distributed, collected, and tested in an efficient and timely manner. Kits are analyzed at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab (WSCL), with results used to support criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Officials report that out of 4,775 testable kits, the DOJ has completed testing on 4,772 — representing 99.9%.
Importance of Collaboration
Leaders involved in the effort emphasized the importance of teamwork in reaching this milestone.
“I think the successes that we did have and continue to have are going to be greatly due to all that teamwork,” said Det. Truli Nielsen, a forensic artist with the UW-Madison Police Department. “These are complicated cases for the investigation for the prosecution as well.”
The DOJ and its partners note that progress was possible only because of strong collaboration across agencies, medical providers, and advocates supporting survivors.
How Long Kits Are Preserved
The Wisconsin State Crime Lab will hold tested kits for up to 10 years, aligning with the statute of limitations on second- and third-degree sexual assault cases in Wisconsin. If a survivor decides to report an assault within that period, law enforcement can request the preserved kit for renewed investigation.
This provision is designed to ensure that survivors retain options even years after an assault, while protecting the integrity of forensic evidence.
National Support and Funding
Since 2015, 44 states, including Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., have received more than $11 million in SAKI grant funding to support the nationwide effort to eliminate sexual assault kit backlogs. Wisconsin’s near-complete testing record is now being highlighted as a model for other states.
The milestone reflects a major step forward in supporting survivors and strengthening investigations into sexual assault cases across Wisconsin. For more updates on statewide initiatives and community safety, stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.