I am speaking out today from a deeply personal place. Like many others, I have been a victim of sexual assault—right in my own neighborhood, here in Tarrant County, Fort Worth. I did everything the system requires: I reported the assault immediately, submitted to a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam, and complied with all procedures. Yet, the institutions meant to protect me—Law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office—have failed me.

My rape kit sat untested for 11 months before even being forwarded for testing, a delay that no victim should endure. This unacceptable delay not only intensified the trauma I endured but also jeopardized my case. The trauma of sexual violence is compounded by such negligence for victims. As of now, 901 SANE kits remain untested in Tarrant County beyond the recommended 90-day period. This backlog highlights a systemic failure that leaves victims without justice, closure, or protection from repeat offenders.

The inaction doesn’t stop there. Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells has not prosecuted a single sexual assault case, including mine, citing difficulty in addressing issues around “CONSENT.”This rationale is both harmful and dangerous. It creates loopholes that protect offenders while leaving victims without justice. Enabling offenders to escape accountability and leaving victims unprotected and disillusioned with the justice system. I DEMAND that the Tarrant County DA reopen my case IMMEDIATELY!! Justice delayed is justice denied, and I will not remain silent.
Consent laws in Texas must be reformed—No Means No, regardless of whether the victim shows visible injuries or not.

We also urge the enforcement of the Lavinia Masters Act (HB 8, 2019) and the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting (SAFER) Act which was designed to prevent exactly this type of backlog. HB 8 aimed to ensure that rape kits are collected, processed swiftly, and not left on shelves. However, this law is not being enforced adequately in Tarrant County. Texas must do better and prioritize victims.

We demand the following actions and reforms:

 1. Immediate testing of all backlogged SANE kits and public updates on their status to ensure transparency and accountability. Ensure victims stop losing access to the tracking system TRACK-IT after 90 days.

 2. Proactive prosecution of sexual assault cases, with a commitment to challenge outdated interpretations of “CONSENT”. Put pressure on the DA and ADAs to do their sworn job to prosecute.

Texas law on CONSENT also needs urgent reform. Current laws create unnecessary barriers to justice by narrowly defining the absence of consent. Victims should not have to prove physical resistance to be believed. As long as consent is not given, it should be recognized as a crime, regardless of whether the offender used force or threats.

 3. Legislative changes, aligned with the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting (SAFER) Act, to ensure timely processing of rape kits and prevent future backlogs.

4. Enforcement of the SAFER Act, which mandates the timely collection and testing of sexual assault evidence, with oversight funded by the federal Debbie Smith Act grants.

Under the SAFER Act, law enforcement agencies must also handle SANE kits promptly, and oversight funded by Debbie Smith Act grants provides resources to prevent these backlogs. These federal and state laws exist to protect survivors, and it is crucial that Tarrant County fully complies with them.

5. Enforcement of the Lavinia Masters Act, requiring Texas agencies to collect and process forensic evidence promptly to prevent failures like mine from happening again.

The Lavinia Masters Act removed limitations that previously allowed law enforcement agencies to deny forensic exams to survivors who reported their assaults within a short timeframe. It also aimed to eliminate backlogs and ensure all sexual assault evidence is processed appropriately. However, despite these laws, Tarrant County is still failing victims. We cannot allow this negligence to continue.

6. Mandatory jail time for officials who fail to test rape kits within legally mandated timeframes.

We call on Tarrant County DA Phil Sorrells and Police Chief Neal Noakes to act immediately. Survivors deserve to be heard, supported, and protected. No more excuses. No more delays. Justice delayed is justice denied, and we will no longer accept the status quo.

Please join us in demanding ACCOUNTABILITY, ENFORCEMENT and ACTION from the Tarrant County DA’s office and law enforcement. Every signature on this petition sends a powerful message: victims matter, and justice must be served. Together, we can push for meaningful change and create a safer community for everyone.

Our community deserves better. Victims deserve to be heard, believed, and supported. No one should have to fight this hard for justice. Let’s work together to make Tarrant County a place where survivors feel safe reporting crimes and know that justice will be served.

Sign this petition and help us protect victims, restore justice, and rebuild trust in our community.

#GodfreyJacksonStrong #NoMeansNo #challengeconsent
#JusticeForVictims #EndBacklogs #TarrantCounty