Columbia’s Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System Under Fire Amid Urgent Calls for Reform

Columbia Faces Urgent Calls for Changes in Sexual Assault Kit Tracking

In a recent audit by the South Carolina General Assembly’s Legislative Audit Council, the findings about the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) tracking system for sexual assault kits have raised some serious eyebrows. The report highlights some glaring improvements needed in a system meant to support survivors of sexual assault as they navigate the often tricky path toward justice.

The Track-Kit System and Its Shortcomings

SLED rolled out its sexual assault kit tracking system, dubbed Track-Kit, on February 20, 2024. However, this launch came a whopping 21 months late, as state law mandated that the system should have been active by June 1, 2022. According to the audit, SLED did not do a great job keeping everyone in the loop, managing to hold only two task force meetings regarding this system. This lack of communication left many stakeholders feeling a bit out of the loop, which is concerning given the sensitivity of the matter at hand.

As of July 1, 2024, there were only 763 kits documented in the Track-Kit database, while around 1,987 kits were still waiting for testing in SLED’s laboratory as of October 2023. That’s a staggering number of unresolved cases hanging in limbo that could be causing many victims serious distress. The audit emphasizes that justice is being delayed or denied for these individuals, many of whom are still under the age of 18.

A Closer Look at the Audit Findings

Reviewing responses from a range of system users—including law enforcement, medical facilities, and forensic laboratories—the Legislative Audit Council (LAC) has raised red flags about the overall inefficiency of this process. The report starkly states, “South Carolina’s sexual assault statistics and Track-Kit data show that the current system of investigating sexual assault offenses is inefficient.” These words echo the frustrations of countless survivors who feel left in the dark.

Another striking revelation from the audit is the lack of sufficient sexual assault nurse examiners in the state. This shortage could be compounding the delays seen in processing sexual assault kits, further complicating the matters for those already grappling with trauma and uncertainty.

Call for System Overhaul

Governor Henry McMaster has since suggested that the departure of the head of South Carolina’s child welfare agency serves as a warning sign indicating that urgent fixes are necessary. This sentiment underscores the growing concern that the problems in processing and tracking sexual assault kits are part of a larger issue within South Carolina’s approach to protecting its most vulnerable citizens.

It’s worth noting that the current system lacks any specific timeframe for each stage of processing sexual assault kits. This absence makes it challenging to ensure timely results, leaving South Carolina with longer wait times than many other states. The hope is that, with transparency and urgency, lawmakers will mobilize to bring about the changes that are so desperately needed in this area.

Next Steps

Looking ahead, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina is set to investigate how Hurricane Helene impacted regulated utilities, but many are hoping that the discussion of the audit findings won’t get lost in the shuffle. The focus needs to remain on creating an effective, transparent, and compassionate system for survivors of sexual assault.

As South Carolina takes stock of these findings, one thing is clear: change is essential, and the time to act is now. The well-being of countless individuals depends on the effectiveness of the system set up to serve and protect them.