SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois senators could vote on a bill in the coming days to require trauma-informed response training for law enforcement.
Sexual assault survivor and advocate Anna Williams spoke before the Senate Criminal Law Committee on April 2, 2025.
This plan could require the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board to teach police officers how to identify conflicts of interest and options to address those conflicts when officers know a sexual assault victim or the abuser.
Sen. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) said law enforcement must use the utmost care when survivors come forward to report their abuse. Edly-Allen filed the legislation after hearing about a negative experience Anna Williams went through while filing her sexual assault report.
Williams testified alongside Edly-Allen Wednesday to speak on behalf of countless other survivors across the state.
"The detective working my case lied on my statements, and it was brushed off when I mentioned it to the chief. I was frequently asked if I was sure that it was not consensual," Williams said. "If we pass the bill, it will help survivors heal from the assault, and then it gives them a fighting chance. It will validate their experiences."
Williams told the Senate Criminal Law Committee that survivors could continue to go through emotional turmoil if Illinois fails to address this issue. She noted that 63% of sexual assaults go unreported due to the fear of retraumatization and victim blaming.
Senate Bill 1195 passed unanimously out of the Senate Criminal Law Committee. It now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.
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