Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced the members of the Arizona Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Task Force, a bipartisan coalition of victims advocates, law enforcement officials and policy makers tasked with addressing the injustice of untested rape kits throughout Arizona.
Throughout the country and Arizona, crime labs struggle to keep up with timely testing of rape kits, resulting in a backlog.
“For too long, women across our state have awaited justice for the despicable crimes inflicted upon them, while predators evade the law looking for their next victim,” said Governor Ducey. “We must do everything in our power to stand up for those who’ve been victimized."
Governor Ducey charged the task force with multiple responsibilities, which include: providing legislative recommendations to ensure every kit is tested in a timely manner; developing a statewide standard process for testing protocols of the kits; developing a statewide tracking system for the kits; and development of a public education plan to assist sexual assault victims.
The task force was established by Executive Order on Jan. 11, to address a key priority in his 2016 State of the State address.
Governor Ducey appointed the following members to the task force:
- Mark Brnovich, Arizona Attorney General
- Representative Kate Brophy McGee, Arizona House of Representatives
- Colleen Clase, Arizona Voice for Crime Victims
- Christina Corieri, Office of Governor Doug Ducey
- Sherriff Mark J. Dannels, Cochise County Sheriff
- Jessie Delmar, Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety
- Senator Katie Hobbs, Arizona State Senate
- Jessye Johnson, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Todd Larson, Honor Health
- Barbara LaWall, Pima County Attorney
- Senator Debbie Lesko, Arizona State Senate
- Representative Phil Lovas, Arizona House of Representatives
- Myriah Mhoon, Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family
- Colonel Frank Milstead, Department of Public Safety
- Bill Montgomery, Maricopa County Attorney
- Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney
- Mary Roberts, Phoenix Police Department
