Garcia Wilburn to advocate for sexual assault survivors in 2025 legislative session

As the 2025 legislative session fast approaches, State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) has unveiled two of the 10 bills she intends to file this session, both supporting sexual assault survivors.

One piece of legislation would establish a sexual assault survivor bill of rights, which advocates called for during a 2024 Corrections and Criminal Code Interim Study Committee. One advocate testified during committee that her efforts to seek justice and receive a full investigation were met with hostility and additional trauma from not being supported by the criminal justice system. This includes provisions such as addressing Indiana's rape kit backlog and guaranteeing that victims can obtain a copy of the law enforcement report concerning the sexual assault. 

"From our extensive rape kit backlog to a reporting process that further violates victims, Indiana has work to do when it comes to truly supporting survivors of sexual assault," Garcia Wilburn said. "The legislature has not been in session since March, and since then, I've focused on meeting with survivors and advocates, members of our very own community. One in every five Hoosier women has been sexually assaulted and I know we can improve the sexual assault investigation process in our state. I believe that a sexual assault survivor bill of rights that affirmatively states what promises Indiana must keep to survivors is a necessary step to ensure that we move past statements of support to implementing statewide change."

The second bill would create a sentencing enhancement for sexual battery that is committed against a law enforcement officer. Under the bill, this crime would result in a Level 4 felony, whereas other instances of sexual battery incur a Level 6 felony.

"Our law enforcement officers need to know that the state has their back if they experience the horror of sexual battery while in the line of duty," Garcia Wilburn said. "Putting on the badge is no light undertaking, and the sad reality is that there are individuals out there who want to harm and violate our officers. My hope is that this legislation would serve as an additional deterrent for those who would commit an unimaginable crime against a brave member of our blue family."

The 2025 legislative session is set to begin on Jan. 8, 2025.