Victims advocates support domestic violence bill

Crime victim advocates are hoping proposed legislation will provide greater protection to victims of rape and other sex crimes.

A bill that won initial approval by the Senate on Tuesday, would require the state pay for the cost of forensic exams to collect evidence, rather than forcing victims to pay for those costs themselves.

"We think this bill would do a whole lot for victims of sexual assault," said Emily Van Schenkof, policy specialist with the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence located in Jefferson City, Mo.

Schenkof said victims of other crimes aren't charged for exams used to collect evidence.

Domestic Violence Bill SB429 also proposes that the practice of requiring rape victims to submit to a polygraph test be discontinued, something that Schenkof said other crime victims are not required to do.

Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, the bill also includes protecting the identities of sex crime victims, which are otherwise public court records; allowing victims to use alternate mailing addresses to prevent abusers from stalking their victims and would require the state provide reimbursement to victims for clothing, bedding and other materials seized as part of a criminal investigation.

The measure needs another vote to move to the House.

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