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Founder of H-E-A-R-T and sexual assault survivor. An interview with Debbie Smith, a sexual assault survivor, the founder of H-E-A-R-T (Hope Exists after Rape Trauma), and a longtime advocate for the elimination of DNA testing backlogs. Would you tell me the story about what happened to you?
Why it matters: The Debbie Smith Act creates the primary program to end the backlog of untested and unanalyzed DNA evidence. When it passed: 2004; reauthorized in 2008 and 2014 DNA evidence is often critical for achieving justice in crimes of sexual violence, but there are still challenges in the way it’s used to hold perpetrators accountable.
Nov 9, 2021 · Updated: Nov 9, 2021 / 04:27 PM EST. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — 32-years after a crime that made headlines, Debbie Smith came face to face with her attacker in prison. The Williamsburg resident...
Nov 28, 2023 · Washington DC - Yesterday, The United States House of Representatives unanimously passed the Debbie Smith Act (2023). Congressman Wesley Hunt (TX-38) was an original Co-Lead on this bill. H.R. 1105, the Debbie Smith Act of 2023, would reauthorize the DNA Backlog Elimination Program from FY2024 through FY2029.
Sep 7, 2019 · DNA evidence untested for years. Evidence finally tested, suspect identified and convicted. Her story helped inspire the federal Debbie Smith Act, first passed in 2004, to provide funding for...
Dec 31, 2019 · The Debbie Smith Crime Victims Protection Act reauthorizes the Debbie Smith Act to continue the testing of DNA evidence, including rape kits, from unsolved crimes nationwide, DNA training and education for law enforcement, correctional personnel, and court officers, and the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program, which supports forensic nurse trai...
Mar 14, 2019 · The Debbie Smith Crime Victims Protection Act reauthorizes the Debbie Smith Act to continue the testing of DNA evidence, including rape kits, from unsolved crimes nationwide, DNA training and education for law enforcement, correctional personnel, and court officers, and the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program, which supports forensic nurse trai...
