(GREAT FALLS) The Montana Department of Justice has created a website and hotline for survivors of sexual assault as part of its Sex Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI).
The site and the hotline were designed to make it easier for sexual assault survivors to connect with the resources and support they often need to heal, according to a press release.
The website is www.dojmt.gov/SAKI. It includes:
- Links to survivor resources, including an interactive map to locate nearby services;
- Crisis phone numbers and contact information for local victim advocates;
- Explanations of community-based advocate and system-based advocate roles;
- Confidentiality information;
- Progress updates on the SAKI Task Force/Initiative; and
- Sexual Assault Response Teams locations.
Soon, the site will feature a kit tracking system, allowing survivors to monitor the progress of their sexual assault kit in the testing system. This function will provide a greater level of visibility into how sexual assault kits are processed. The kit tracking system is designed to ensure anonymity and confidentiality for survivors.
Survivors can also access the new hotline, 1-888-KIT-LINE, or SAKI e-mail service ContactSAKI@mt.gov, for more information on the status of their sexual assault kit.
These new services are specifically for survivors who completed a sexual assault exam in Montana between 1995 and 2015, but do not know if their kit was tested. The hotline does not operate like a crisis line; callers are directed to leave a voicemail in order to receive a return call from the SAKI Advocate.
“The goal is to provide information to sexual assault survivors in ways that minimize revictimization trauma, address the issue of untested sexual assault kits, and connect survivors with resources and professionals who can assist them with healing and potentially moving forward with their cases,” Attorney General Tim Fox said. “Our SAKI and IT teams did an outstanding job of finding ways for survivors to receive information in a manner and at a time appropriate and convenient for them,” Attorney General Fox added.
Survivors may also use contact information provided on the website to opt in or opt out of case information by letting the agency’s SAKI Advocate know their wishes for involvement in their case or preferred notification method. For more information, contact the SAKI Advocate at 1-888-KIT-LINE or ContactSAKI@mt.gov.
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