In a recent gathering at the Guilford County Family Justice Center, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, alongside other officials, highlighted the importance of addressing unsolved sexual assault cases during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Reinforcing his commitment to justice for survivors, Governor Stein called for the creation of a cold case unit to assist law enforcement in tackling unresolved sexual assault investigations. "Sexual assault is a heinous crime," according to a statement from the Governor's Office. Stein commended bipartisan and cross-agency efforts to eliminate North Carolina's rape kit backlog and advocated for continued partnership and funding to support these endeavors.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson emphasized building on the groundwork laid by the Governor to combat sexual assault in the state. "My team and I will keep working with state and local law enforcement and community partners to solve sexual assault crimes, keep people safe, and get justice for survivors," Jackson stated. North Carolina Department of Administration’s Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza also reflected his dedication to the cause, commending the Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s efforts in providing resources and support to those affected by interpersonal violence and sexual abuse, according to a press release from the Governor's Office.
The call for increased support resonated with Guilford County Family Justice Center Director Catherine Johnson, who underscored the importance of coordinated community solutions for survivors. "These kinds of resources are critical to helping survivors find pathways to hope and healing," Johnson told attendees, highlighting the Governor's advocacy for survivors and the role that Family Justice Centers play in such work. Guilford County District Attorney Avery Crump further supported the need for a cold case unit, stating, "A designated cold case unit will help local law enforcement and district attorneys prosecute these cases and find closure for survivors of sexual assault." as mentioned by the Governor's Office press release.
Throughout the event, personal testimonies were shared, including that of advocate Valerie Paterson, who has committed her life to aiding survivors. "No one should have to experience the trauma of sexual assault, and the healing journey is difficult and lifelong," Paterson said in a statement obtained by the Governor's Office. She called upon the General Assembly to increase resources for those impacted by sexual assault, acknowledging Governor Stein's serious approach to the issue. In further efforts to acknowledge the gravity of the situation, Governor Stein presented a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. His 2025-2027 budget proposal currently seeks General Assembly funding for a specialized sexual assault cold case unit.
As background to these initiatives, Governor Stein's past work as Attorney General was instrumental in ending the state's long-standing rape kit backlog. In 2024, the State Crime Lab processed close to 12,000 kits, resulting in over 2,700 DNA matches and the subsequent arrest of 256 individuals. These figures not only reflect the tangible impact of the previous efforts but also the ongoing necessity to maintain such momentum, with the establishment of a cold case unit representing the next critical step in seeking justice for survivors in North Carolina.
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