"This Time It Was Different:" Creating a Multidisciplinary, Trauma-Informed, Victim-Centered Approach to Sexual Assault Cold Case Investigations and Prosecutions.

This article focuses on the implementation and survivor experiences of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), a U.S. Department of Justice program addressing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits (SAKs) and promoting the re-investigation and prosecution of cold case sexual assaults. Through qualitative interviews with 32 survivors from one SAKI-funded site, the study found that survivors generally experienced a multidisciplinary, trauma-informed, and victim-centered approach, characterized by integrated advocacy, emotional support, safety measures, and preparation for court proceedings. While most survivors reported positive interactions with the SAKI team, including feeling believed and supported, some noted challenges such as inconsistent communication or staff turnover. The findings highlight the potential benefits of SAKI's guiding principles in improving survivor engagement and trust, though the study's scope is limited to one jurisdiction and a subset of survivors, underscoring the need for broader evaluations across diverse communities.