On May 27, 2024, I was subjected to rape and sexual assault by two men- one of whom I knew for a little under a year, the other I knew for about an hour before my rape. They committed this crime together and one of my assailants threatened me with a gun when I said I was calling the police. I went to the hospital immediately where it was documented that I suffered a "1 cm traumatic, vaginal laceration" and my blood pressure was elevated at Stage 2 Hypertension. This is indicative of trauma as it is the second most severe stage of BP and my BP is regularly normal. I immediately reported the crime to law enforcement in the hospital. I provided detailed statements, underwent a forensic examination for the collection of my rape kit, and described critical evidence- including a copious amount of blood on the couch where my assault occurred and on my rapists' hands and shirt. The patrol officer who collected my statement ensured me that a detective would report to the crime scene within 48 hours. She provided this information in front of me, my best friend, my SA Nurse Examiner, and an advocate from Coastal Horizons Rape Crisis Center. Despite my immediate reporting of the crime, the Wilmington Police Department (WPD) failed to investigate the crime scene until at least 17 days after my rape. Furthermore, WPD did not contact either of my attackers until at least 12 days after my rape and I did not hear from a detective until the 12th day, despite making multiple efforts to receive an update on my case via phone and personal visits to the police department.

My case is closed due to lack of evidence and both of my attackers exist freely without consequence for the violent crimes committed against me. I was stripped of my body autonomy, my peace, AND my potential for justice.

WPD’s delay jeopardized the integrity of vital evidence and undermined the pursuit of justice. It exemplifies a systemic failure to prioritize the safety and justice of sexual assault survivors. Timely evidence collection is crucial in these cases, and WPD’s inaction risks leaving survivors without the safety and justice they deserve.

Simultaneously, this leaves our community even more vulnerable.

The DA's office has stated that the injuries I sustained could result from consensual sex. Therefore, there is “no evidence to support that this was not consensual". While I boldly disagree with this statement (as I also suffered internal vaginal abrasions, smears of blood detected on my leg and face beneath a blacklight, Stage 2 Hypertension BP, and palpable trauma that led to an immediate diagnosis of Panic Attacks and Acute Stress Disorder to be evaluated in the coming weeks as PTSD), I believe that having photo evidence of the crime scene and physical evidence of my rapists fingernails, etc. would have reaffirmed my statement of just how violent my rape was in the event that my case was brought before a jury.

We call on the Wilmington Police Department to enact the following policy reforms immediately:

1.    Mandatory Timelines for Evidence Collection: Require that crime scenes in sexual assault cases are examined within 48 hours of reporting and that identifiable perpetrators are contacted with the same urgency.

2.     Victim-Centered Training: Implement mandatory trauma-informed training for all officers handling sexual assault cases to ensure physical and emotional safety for survivors.

3.     Accountability Measures: Establish transparent procedures for investigating departmental delays in sexual assault cases.

My experience is not an isolated incident—it reflects a broader need for systemic change. Survivors who come forward should be met with urgency, protection, and professionalism-not delays that compromise their cases.

Join me in demanding that the WPD prioritize justice and enact these essential reforms. Together, we can hold institutions accountable and ensure that survivors are treated with the respect and urgency they deserve.

-       Cassie Payton