Pennsylvania’s new sexual assault kit tracking system: what it means for survivors

Reviewed by Heard & Believed · Updated 2026-10-28

Pennsylvania has launched a new sexual assault evidence tracking system that lets survivors see where their kit is in the process. This piece explains what is changing, how it may affect your options, and how to care for yourself emotionally while the system rolls out.

What is changing with sexual assault kit tracking in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has begun rolling out a statewide system that lets survivors and key agencies follow the path of sexual assault evidence kits. The pilot is happening in several counties first, involving dozens of hospitals and law enforcement agencies, with a plan to expand across the state. This system, often called Track‑Kit, is meant to increase transparency, reduce the risk of kits being lost or forgotten, and give survivors more visibility into what is happening behind the scenes.

For many years, survivors across the United States have heard about backlogs of kits and have struggled to get clear answers about where their evidence was or whether it had been tested. According to RAINN and other national organizations, lack of information can deepen feelings of powerlessness and mistrust after an assault. A tracking system does not fix everything, but it is one step toward accountability: it creates a record any participating agency can see, and it offers survivors the choice to log in and look for themselves if and when they feel ready. If you are in Pennsylvania and receive a forensic exam as the system rolls out, hospital staff or an advocate may offer you information about how to access this tool.

• The system begins in selected counties before expanding statewide.
• Hospitals that perform exams enter kit information into a secure platform.
• Law enforcement and labs update the status as the kit moves or is tested.
• Survivors can receive a login or tracking code if they want one.

How the new system could affect you if you had or are considering a forensic exam

If you have already had a sexual assault exam in one of the pilot counties, your evidence kit may be entered into the new system so agencies can track it. You might be offered a confidential code or login that lets you see basic status updates, such as whether your kit is collected, stored, or sent for analysis. Having this information can help some survivors feel more grounded and less in the dark about the legal side of things. Others may find that seeing each stage of the process is triggering or stressful. Both reactions are valid, and you are allowed to decide how much you want to know.

If you are still deciding whether to seek an exam, it might help to know that the exam itself is medical care first. The American Psychological Association and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center both emphasize that trauma‑informed exams are meant to prioritize your consent at every step: you can say yes or no to each part, and you can stop at any time. The new tracking system does not force you into the criminal legal process. Asking about Track‑Kit, or about evidence storage, does not create a requirement that you report or cooperate later. Your body, your story, and your choices stay yours, even when new technology is involved.

• You can ask a nurse or advocate whether your hospital uses the tracking system.
• You are not required to sign up for survivor access to the tracking portal.
• You can choose to ignore status updates if they feel overwhelming.
• You can still receive medical care even if you decline evidence collection.

Why transparency about evidence matters, and what it cannot fix

A tracking system might sound technical, but at its core it is about dignity and trust. Many survivors describe feeling erased when officials lose a kit, delay testing for years, or fail to communicate about what is happening. When you have lived through something that already stripped away control, it can be deeply unsettling to hand over physical evidence and then hear nothing. Having a secure way to see where your kit is, or at least knowing that an auditable record exists, can push institutions to treat evidence with more care.

At the same time, technology cannot repair every wound. Seeing your kit move from one agency to another may stir up memories or fears that you thought were settled. A database also cannot guarantee that charges will be filed or that a case will proceed in court. According to RAINN, many sexual assaults are never prosecuted, and that reality is about systems, not your worth as a survivor. It is okay to feel disappointed, angry, or numb about that. Emotional healing happens on its own timeline and does not have to match the pace of any investigation. You deserve support even if your kit is never tested or your case never moves forward.

If you are feeling anxious about old or untested kits, what can you do?

News about tracking systems and backlogs can stir up a lot if you had an exam months or years ago. You might suddenly wonder whether your kit was stored properly, whether it was ever analyzed, or whether it has been destroyed. Those questions can feel like fresh losses layered on top of what you already survived. First, it is important to say that your healing is not less real if your kit was mishandled, stored for years, or never collected at all. Your experience is valid, even without evidence or legal action.

If you are curious about a past kit in Pennsylvania, you can consider gently exploring your options. In some areas, rape crisis centers can help you request information from law enforcement or hospitals and can be present if you decide to make that call. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has described this tracking system as a way to bring more order and accountability, which might eventually make it easier to get answers. It is also completely acceptable not to reopen this topic right now. RAINN and the NSVRC stress that survivors should retain as much choice as possible after assault, including the choice not to revisit painful processes if that does not feel supportive.

• You can contact a local rape crisis center and ask about options for learning your kit status.
• You can decide that seeking this information is not right for you right now.
• You can prepare emotionally by journaling or talking with a therapist before making calls.
• You can bring a trusted support person into any conversation with authorities.

How Pennsylvania’s changes fit into a bigger picture of survivor‑centered care

Pennsylvania is not only working on tracking kits. The state budget has increased funding for rape crisis centers and victim compensation, which may mean more advocates, counseling slots, and outreach in the coming years. In the greater Philadelphia region, a health system has also partnered with a telehealth program so that hospitals can connect with trained sexual assault nurse examiners at any time. This is especially important at smaller or rural hospitals that may not always have a specialist on site. When paired with a tracking system, these investments hint at a larger shift toward consistent, trauma‑informed care.

For survivors, this can translate into more choices and more layers of support. You might have access to an advocate at the hospital, quieter private spaces for exams, and nurses who are coached in real time by experienced forensic specialists. You might also have a clearer sense of where your kit goes afterward and who is responsible for it. National resources like RAINN note that when care feels coordinated and respectful, it can slightly reduce the risk of re‑traumatization during medical and legal processes. None of this erases what happened to you, and it does not mean you must interact with these systems to heal. It is simply about widening the path so that if and when you do seek help, you are met with more structure and care than survivors sometimes received in the past.

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What to do now

1. Notice how reading about evidence and tracking systems makes you feel, and give yourself permission to pause or ground yourself if emotions spike.
2. If you are in Pennsylvania and considering medical care after an assault, ask hospital staff or an advocate whether they participate in the new kit tracking system and what that means for you.
3. Decide ahead of time whether you want to receive a login or tracking code for your kit, and let the nurse or advocate know your preference so they can respect your boundaries.
4. Reach out to a local rape crisis center or the RAINN hotline to talk through your options about exams, reporting, or simply getting emotional support, without any pressure to take legal steps.
5. If you had a past exam and are wondering about your kit, write down your questions and decide whether contacting law enforcement or a hospital with an advocate’s support feels manageable.
6. Consider connecting with a trauma‑informed therapist or counselor who has experience with sexual violence, so you have a steady place to process any updates about your case or evidence.
7. If you support a survivor, ask them how much information they want about the tracking system or legal process, and follow their lead rather than pushing for action.
8. Create a small self‑care plan for the days when you might check on a kit or receive news, such as arranging calming activities, supportive friends, or extra rest afterward.