AG Lisa Madigan Backing Legislation To Improve Law Enforcement's Handling Of Sexual Assault Cases
(CBS) -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and other officials are backing legislation to improve the way law enforcement deals with cases of sexual assault, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
Madigan says she and other members of the Joint Sexual Assault Working Group were very concerned about the relatively low number of sexual assaults that are reported to the authorities.
"We need to change our response to survivors, to the children, women and men who experienced these horrible crimes," she said.
Podcast
That's why State Senator Scott Bennett is sponsoring legislation mandating better training for those who deal with victims. Polly Poskin, director of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, says that includes 911 call takers.
"Research shows that how a rape victim is initially responded to is the most significant factor on her or his recovery, which is a lot of the reason for the training for law enforcement in this legislation," Poskin said.
And perhaps more survivors will come forward to find help and justice.
