For many sexual assault survivors, the assault itself may only the beginning of the trauma. In some cases, victim's lives and sexual histories have become the subject of scrutiny during the criminal justice process.
Legislation currently under consideration in the Missouri Senate would address this issue by making sure that all questioning of survivors did not include these discussions.
Republican State Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder is one of the co-sponsors of the bill. She says those lines of questioning can emotionally harm victims while not providing any information pertaining to the case.
"There is nothing that can justify someone attacking you, someone sexually assaulting you," says the state Senator. "So, why have that even as part of the questioning? That is only to harm the victim — the survivor."
- State Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R-Sikeston)
- Amy Fite, Christian County prosecuting attorney
