Seattle mayor orders plan for stalled sexual assault investigations as advocates demand deadline As frustrated advocates demanded a deadline for the city to fix stalled sexual assault investigations at the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell on Thursday ordered that all felony cases with enough evidence for follow-up be assigned to detectives by the end of August. Ashley Hiruko Sydney Brownstone / The Seattle Times Play AudioListen 5 mins
For one rape survivor, new abortion bans bring back old, painful memories The story of a young rape victim in Ohio who had to travel out of state for an abortion this summer is recalling painful memories for an older generation. Lauren Hodges Sarah McCammon Play AudioListen 11 mins
Fall semester is underway. That's when most campus sexual assaults happen The window between the start of fall semester and Thanksgiving break is what advocates against sexual violence refer to as the "red zone." More than half of all campus sexual assaults occur during this period, according to the sexual assault advocacy group Shattering the Silence. Angela King Natalie Akane Newcomb Play AudioListen 7 mins
DIY rape kits are gaining popularity on college campuses. But are they reliable? Commercially sold, do-it-yourself sexual assault kits are gaining popularity on college campuses. Makers of the kits have marketed them as an alternative option to sexual assault kits conducted in a hospital setting. But health officials and some sexual assault advocacy groups say the kits stand to create more problems than they solve, and are warning people not to use them. Angela King Natalie Akane Newcomb Play AudioListen 5 mins
WA AG orders DIY rape kit company to stop sales in the state The Washington State Attorney General's Office has issued a cease-and-desist letter to the company Leda Health regarding its marketing and distribution of so-called "early evidence" rape kits and its suite of services. Angela King Natalie Akane Newcomb Play AudioListen 2 mins
Mayor Harrell appoints panel to address sexual assault, police reform Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the names Thursday of six people who will form a new advisory panel to provide recommendations on how Seattle police handle sexual assault investigations. Ashley Hiruko
Bill Cosby plans to tour in 2023 even as he faces a new sexual assault lawsuit The news of his tour plans comes just weeks after five women filed another sexual assault lawsuit against the 85-year-old comedian. Giulia Heyward
In an effort to make rides safer, Lyft launches Women+ Connect The new opt-in feature lets women and nonbinary drivers prioritize passengers who fit the same description. But it's not a guarantee and is only available in a handful of cities for now. Vanessa Romo
Thousands of untested sexual assault kits finally processed in WA Washington state has effectively eliminated its extensive backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits. Officials announced Thursday that more than 10,000 backlogged kits have now been cleared from evidence rooms across the state and submitted for testing. Kate Walters Play AudioListen 6 mins
Sexual assault cases are formally removed from the U.S. military chain of command The investigation and prosecution of major criminal offenses now shifts to independent prosecutors in a bid to strengthen the accountability of the military justice system. Natalie Schachar
