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AG Kaul Interview: Assault Kits In Database, Billboards In The Northwoods

Wisconsin Department of Justice

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul says progress is being made to clear up a backlog of sexual assault test kits.

In an interview last week with WXPR, Kaul says all sexual assault kits designated for testing have been tested. ...

"We're in the process of following up on cases where there's a DNA match or other foreign DNA identified in the kits. Those cases continue to move forward and it's vital that they do..."

He says survivors have waited a long time for justice. Kaul says those cases are ones where a person has done a violent crime and has gone without prosecution. As of August 19, 1,087 kits with foreign DNA identified have been added to a national database of DNA profiles.

A second initiative finds the Department and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA) partnering to place billboards for sexual assault victim services in 29 counties, many of which are Wisconsin’s most rural counties.

"The billboards are working to raise awareness about where survivors of sexual assault as well as their friends and family members can reach out to get support. The billboards have a number people can call..."

Kaul says especially in rural areas survivors and families don't always know where to go to get help. Kaul thinks the billboards will be effective and will be displayed through October.

Billboards will be up in Oneida, Vilas, Lincoln, Langlade and Iron counties.

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