Audit Reveals Critical Flaws in South Carolina’s Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System

Columbia, S.C. – Audit Uncovers Issues in SLED’s Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System

In a recent audit conducted by the South Carolina General Assembly’s Legislative Audit Council, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) sexual assault kit tracking system, known as Track-Kit. The findings reveal a pressing need for improvements in a system designed to support survivors of sexual assault.

What is Track-Kit?

For those unfamiliar, Track-Kit is a system that allows sexual assault survivors to monitor the progress of their kits. From the moment a kit is submitted to SLED, survivors can follow its journey through distribution, collection, processing, and storage. The goal of this tracking system is to provide transparency and keep survivors informed about the status of their kits. However, the recent audit shines a light on the fact that this system is far from perfect.

Delayed Implementation and Communication Issues

One of the major setbacks highlighted in the audit is that SLED was late in rolling out the Track-Kit system. The launch, which took place on February 20, 2024, came nearly 21 months after the mandated deadline of June 1, 2022, set by state law. This delay has raised eyebrows among lawmakers and stakeholders, who were expecting a timely implementation to support victims.

Furthermore, the audit noted that SLED did not effectively communicate with other relevant agencies during the implementation phase. In fact, the council reported that only two task force meetings were held to discuss the system. This lack of communication may contribute to the overall inefficiency of the tracking process.

Concerning Statistics

As of July 1, 2024, the Track-Kit database listed a mere 763 total kits, while there were 1,987 kits pending testing at SLED’s laboratory as of October 2023. These numbers paint a grim picture for the victims relying on this system for justice. The audit unveiled that the number of sexual assault nurse examiners in South Carolina is also insufficient, potentially impacting the processing of these critical kits.

A Critical Need for Speedy Processing

One glaring issue is that South Carolina does not have a defined timeline for any stage of sexual assault kit processing. This lack of requirement means that survivors in the Palmetto State often face significantly longer wait times for kit results compared to residents in other states. The longer the wait, the more justice is delayed, leaving victims in limbo.

Voices from the Community

The Legislative Audit Council conducted the audit by gathering feedback from a variety of system users, including law enforcement agencies, medical facilities, forensic laboratories, and sexual assault nurse examiners. The feedback paints a picture of inefficiency and serious concerns regarding the investigations into sexual assault offenses. The summary report concludes with a poignant observation: “Justice is being delayed or denied for victims, many of whom are under the age of 18.”

Concerns at the Top

As if the audit findings weren’t enough to raise alarm bells, Governor Henry McMaster recently pointed out the departure of the individual overseeing South Carolina’s child welfare agency as a sign that urgent fixes are needed in the state’s system for protecting vulnerable individuals.

What’s Next?

With the Legislative Audit Council’s findings now on the table, it’s clear that stakeholders will need to come together to tackle the inefficiencies highlighted in the audit. As discussions progress, there is hope that improvements will be made to ensure a more efficient and responsive system for victims of sexual assault in South Carolina.

It’s time for clear communication, defined processing timelines, and a robust support system to prevent further delays in justice. After all, survivors deserve nothing less than that.