AG Nessel meets with Kalamazoo County SAKI team to learn their keys to success

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – There is so much more to The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative than just using DNA to catch rapists-at-large…at least the way Kalamazoo County does it, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Sexual Assault Kit Initiative teams were set up when it was discovered that over 10,000 rape evidence kits were being stored statewide, untested and uninvestigated.

Nessel Came to Kalamazoo on Friday, June 2 to meet with the team assembled by Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting to investigate the local kits, and to learn how they have been so successful.

Nessel recognized Kalamazoo’s comprehensive approach by using trauma informed victim advocates to help the victims, as well as investigators to track the predators.

Getting says having DNA is nice, but a jury also needs to hear from the victim, and support testimony from other victims, as the DNA has shown rapists usually repeat their crimes.

Kalamazoo Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Team leader Erin House says they have two Victim Advocates who help the women, who are often traumatized by the sexual assaults.

So far the Kalamazoo team has gotten 17 rapists off the street with 10 more trials pending. Nessel says this program, and the Larry Nassar case, has given society a different attitude towards sex crimes, and is encouraging victims to come forward, and some to create support groups.

reporting from John McNeill