The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Unit is responsible for implementing the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, a nationwide effort to submit and test previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs).

Through this effort, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office and New Orleans Police Department are re-investigating and prosecuting cold-case sexual assaults.

In FY2020, OPDA was awarded an additional $1,949,672 in SAKI funding to continue building upon the New Orleans SAKI model that has been supported by two previous SAKI awards. The funding is used to maintain SAKI Prosecution Unit essential staff to support sexual assault survivors and prosecute perpetrators and ensure survivor safety.

In addition to securing convictions, our goal is to empower survivors, promote healing, and provide closure. We understand and empathize that a significant amount of time has passed, making these assaults difficult to revisit while also triggering strong or conflicting emotions. We assure any survivor that it is okay to feel this way. If you need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out for our support.

The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office remains committed to ensuring that every sexual assault case receives a thorough and thoughtful review, regardless of how much time has passed since the crime occurred. Advances in forensic technology, combined with renewed investigative efforts, have created new opportunities to identify offenders, strengthen cases, and pursue justice for survivors whose cases may have remained unresolved for years.

The SAKI Unit works collaboratively with the New Orleans Police Department, forensic experts, victim advocates, and community partners to conduct comprehensive case reviews and provide survivors with access to information, support services, and resources throughout the criminal justice process. This multidisciplinary approach recognizes that successful prosecution is only one component of justice and that survivor safety, dignity, and well-being remain central to our work.

Our office understands that every survivor’s experience is unique. Some survivors may choose to participate in the criminal justice process, while others may not be ready or may have different goals. We respect those decisions and strive to provide clear communication, trauma-informed support, and meaningful opportunities for survivors to make informed choices about their involvement.

By addressing previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits and pursuing accountability where the evidence supports prosecution, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office seeks to strengthen public safety, support survivors, and reinforce public confidence in the criminal justice system.

This work reflects our broader commitment to ensuring that all victims of crime are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion while holding offenders accountable under the law.