Illinois lawmakers on Thursday advanced legislation requiring increased police training on sexual assault cases that would include practices “meant to minimize traumatization of the victim.”
The training required by the legislation, now heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk, would also focus on identifying and addressing conflicts of interest when officers involved in the case are familiar with the victim or accused. The “trauma-informed” training is intended to promote handling people involved in sexual assault cases in a sensitive way, said state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, the bill’s sponsor and a Democrat from Libertyville.
The bill was dubbed “Anna’s Law” because it was championed by an Illinois resident, Anna Williams, who told state lawmakers that she was unfairly overlooked by law enforcement when she filed a sexual assault report.
“The detective working my case lied on my statements, and it was brushed off when I mentioned it to the chief,” Williams said at a late April legislative hearing. “I was frequently asked if I was sure that it was not consensual. If we pass the bill, it will help survivors heal from the assault, and then it gives them a fighting chance. It will validate their experiences.”
An initial version of the bill was met with opposition in part due to a provision penalizing officers if they did not complete the training, Edly-Allen said. Law enforcement officials also wanted the training to be administered by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, instead of the state Department of Human Services as initially written, she said.
“Personally, I did not want anything punitive,” Edly-Allen said. “It’s about when you know better, you do better, just understanding that we all experience life differently.”
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association initially filed in opposition of the legislation, but said Thursday they switched their position to neutral after the bill was amended in the Senate.
Proponents of the legislation also include the Illinois National Organization for Women, Illinois Collaboration on Youth, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.
“The passage of Anna’s Law is another step in the direction of ensuring our law enforcement responses to sexual and domestic violence are survivor-centered and trauma-informed,” said Maralea Negron, director of policy, advocacy and research at The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. “Addressing conflicts of interest in law enforcement responses will directly support survivors who hesitate to report because of these associated risks.”
Edly-Allen credited Williams with pushing her to champion the legislation.
“I actually was a little nervous carrying the bill originally, but her determination and her unwavering bravery to say ‘No, this is wrong, we need to change it,’ empowered me,” Edly-Allen said. “She empowered me to do this legislation.”
