By DONNA SCHAIBLEY
State Representative
As we recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, let’s stand with survivors who deserve our support.
In my role as a policymaker and as vice chair of the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code, I’m committed to strengthening protections for survivors of violent crime and ensuring justice is served.
Unfortunately, sexual assault is common, and it affects one in five Hoosier women. When these cases come before the courts, consent plays a major role in determining guilt or innocence. Until this year, Indiana law lacked a clear definition of consent, making it difficult for a judge or jury to assess individual rape cases, and leaving many victims without legal recourse. After working with advocates, survivors and legal experts, we created a broader definition of rape to include the attacker’s disregard of a victim’s attempt to physically, verbally or by other visible conduct refuse sexual activity.
Having this definition of consent in state law supports victims and hold criminals accountable. The new law also helps shift the focus from the actions of the victim to the intentions of the perpetrator.
This legislative session, we also worked to better protect violent crime victims after their attacker is released from prison.
In 2003, a Noblesville resident and student at Butler University was abducted and raped while walking her dog. When her rapist was released from prison, she filed for a protective order. In Indiana, these orders expire every two years, and the victim and offender must appear before a judge together before it can be renewed. That means every two years, she had to go back to court and be in the same room as her attacker, which only continued a cycle of harassment and emotional trauma. That’s why we passed legislation to allow these victims to apply for an indefinite protective order if their attacker is listed as a lifetime sex or violent offender.
In Hamilton County, help is available for those who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. Prevail of Central Indiana is located in Noblesville and offers resources including advocacy, safety planning, crisis response and support groups. They also can help you learn more about protective orders and how to file one. Visit prevailinc.org, call the office at (317) 773-6942 or call their 24-hour crisis line at (317) 776-3472.
You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with an advocate who will speak with you confidentially. In addition, the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking at icesaht.org can help guide survivors through the next steps, including referrals to local service providers who can offer ongoing assistance.
Survivors deserve support and opportunities to heal. This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I hope you join me in the challenge to raise awareness about this issue and get familiar with helpful resources so you can offer help to someone who leans on you for support. As a state representative, I’ll continue working on ways to support victims of violence and hold criminals accountable.
If you have an idea for a new law or need help connecting to state resources, please contact me at (317) 232-9753 or email me at H24@iga.in.gov.
State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) represents House District 24, which includes portions of Boone and Hamilton counties.