Every October, the Women’s Law Project leads a team of advocates at the Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit to review hundreds of sex crimes case files. We just completed this year’s review, and it’s important that you know why we do this.
This annual case review process has been a standard practice for our team for 26 years. This local initiative has changed the way rape is investigated and brought attention to how survivors of sexual violence are treated across North America.
In 1999, a newspaper investigation revealed that the Philadelphia Police Department had failed to adequately investigate thousands of rapes and other sex crimes, filing them in a non-criminal category. Over the course of two decades, approximately 30% of all sexual assault-related complaints were buried in this way. This was more than a procedural failure; it was a betrayal of duty that denied survivors the justice they deserved.
We responded with swift and bold action. Working with advocates, WLP established an unprecedented review of rape and sexual assault complaints at the Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit (SVU).
The result: thousands of rape and sexual assault cases were re-opened and investigated.
This case review process became an annual commitment by both WLP and Philadelphia SVU. Now, every fall, we dedicate time and labor to carefully assessing the thoroughness and outcome of sex crimes investigations, raise questions, and provide feedback.
Our process is now recognized as a national best practice known as the Philadelphia Model. WLP attorneys have consulted with advocates and police across the United States and Canada to facilitate implementation of the Philadelphia Model.
While the Philadelphia Model is just one tool to help improve police and institutional response to violence against women, because it exists, more victims and survivors are getting the justice they deserve.
We’ll never stop working for women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people. Thank you for being an important part of our community.
