A new law in Connecticut could protect victims from becoming suspects

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Support our nonprofit journalism]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     June 20, 2024 Have you seen [Victim/Suspect]( on Netflix? It's a documentary by my colleagues at the Center for Investigative Reporting Studios that highlights their [investigation]( that found dozens of cases in which law enforcement officials charged women reporting sexual assaults with crimes. As Rachel de Leon [writes](: Our investigation into sexual assault cases found that police routinely deploy interrogation techniques meant for criminal suspects on alleged victims, including lying about evidence. When reporting victims recant or backtrack, it can lead to false reporting charges: Of 52 cases involving false reporting charges that we analyzed closely, nearly two-thirds involved a recantation. In nine cases, the recantation was the only evidence cited by police. About half the cases Rachel and her colleagues analyzed came out of Connecticut, where a statewide system allowed the reporters to more easily find false reporting cases tied to sexual assault. Democratic state Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw took notice after seeing Victim/Suspect last year, and introduced a [landmark bill]( aimed at improving how police treat victims following a sexual assault. And as Rachel writes, that bill [became law]( earlier this month. "This isn’t just a bill that victims and survivors want." Kavros DeGraw said. "It’s a bill that law enforcement also wants and needs in order to serve the public to the very best of their ability." There's nothing better than journalism with impact. [Check out Rachel's full story]( to learn more about the significance of the new law—and make sure to watch Victim/Suspect if you haven't already. —Julianne McShane Advertisement [POGO Bad Watchdog]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [New Connecticut Law Aims to Support Victims of Sexual Assault—and Prevent Them From Being Treated Like Suspects]( A model policy could set a high bar for how sex crimes are investigated statewide. BY RACHEL DE LEON SPONSORED CONTENT BY PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT   What’s Going On at the Department of Homeland Security? The award-winning podcast Bad Watchdog is back for Season 2. Host Maren Machles examines the Department of Homeland Security, which was established to protect the U.S. from security threats. But the agency has since doubled down on detaining migrants, even as more dangerous threat festers within U.S. borders. [Listen now.]( [Trending] [About that IVF "alternative" GOP Senators are trying to fund]( BY KIERA BUTLER   [DOJ: The state of Alaska discriminates against voters with disabilities]( BY JULIA MÉTRAUX   [America’s best made-up person]( BY GARRY WILLS   [He’s a car dealer with a surprising business record. He’s also running for Senate in Ohio.]( BY ABBY VESOULIS Advertisement [POGO Bad Watchdog]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [Fish, toads, and John Eastman: Inside the conservative project to undo federal environmental laws]( And how SCOTUS could help it come to fruition. BY JACKIE FLYNN MOGENSEN MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE   MOTHER JONES NEEDS YOUR HELP Straight to the point: Donations have been concerningly slow for our hugely important First $500,000 fundraising campaign. We urgently need your help, and a lot of help, over the next few weeks so we can pay for the one-of-a-kind journalism you get from us. Learn more in “[Less Dreading, More Doing](,” where we lay out this wild moment and how we can keep charging hard for you. And please help if you can: $5, $50, or $500—[every gift from every person]( truly matters right now. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Share it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755