[1]Bob Ferguson



Please note: This email contains language that references sexual assault.



My name is Leah Griffin and I was raped in 2014. Like a victim of any
crime, I wanted justice. But not only did I struggle to find a hospital
that would provide a sexual assault kit to collect important forensic
evidence, once I did find one I struggled to convince law enforcement to
test it.

I learned that my story was not unusual. [ [link removed] ]You may have read news stories
about many law enforcement agencies across the country failing to test
these sexual assault kits. In some cases, the detectives don’t believe the
victims, or decide the case will be too hard to prove.

Many of these kits sat untested on the shelves of local law enforcement
agencies for years – even decades. The number of untested sexual assault
kits in Washington state alone grew to more than 10,000.

But Bob Ferguson listened to my story – and many others. He partnered with
survivors and other stakeholders to develop a plan — and after years of
work, Washington State’s backlog of sexual assault kits has finally been
cleared and tested.^1

- The Spokesman-Review, Oct. 27, 2023

Thanks to Bob’s leadership, all of the DNA evidence from these tests is
now stored in a national database and used by law enforcement to solve
crimes. Victims' voices are being heard and crimes are being solved. For
example, 21 violent sexual assaults and cold cases have already been
solved so far and those responsible are held accountable.

Bob and others have changed the culture of how we handle sexual assault
kits. It used to take 14 months to test a kit. Now, all kits must be
tested within 45 days, and survivors have the legal right to see where
their kit is in the testing process.

This is a big deal for survivors like me, and I’m so grateful for Bob's
leadership. It’s a big part of why I know he will do an outstanding job as
our next Governor.

[ [link removed] ]If you’re ready to elect Bob Ferguson as our next Governor in 2024,
will you add your name alongside mine to endorse his campaign today?

[ [link removed] ]Endorse Bob ››

He listened to my story and acted, and I know he’ll listen to the stories
of other Washingtonians.

Thank you for reading.

Leah Griffin

1 - [ [link removed] ]Entire Washington State sexual assault kit backlog sent for
testing, 21 cases solved





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Bob Ferguson for Governor
PO Box 22169
Seattle, WA 98122
[email protected]

[PAID FOR BY BOB FERGUSON FOR GOVERNOR EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE (D)
PO Box 22169
Seattle, WA 98122]