North Raleigh Today

Governor Josh Stein, alongside Attorney General Jeff Jackson and North Carolina Department of Administration Secretary Gabe Esparza, visited the Guilford County Family Justice Center in Greensboro to emphasize the significance of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and address ongoing efforts to resolve cold sexual assault cases.

During the event, Governor Stein stated, “Sexual assault is a heinous crime. We must dedicate ourselves to pursuing justice for every survivor.” He highlighted bipartisan efforts to eliminate North Carolina’s rape kit backlog and advocated for establishing a Cold Case Unit to aid law enforcement in removing offenders from the streets.

Attorney General Jackson noted, “We’re going to keep building on the strong foundation laid by Governor Stein to combat sexual assault in North Carolina.” He committed to collaborating with state and local law enforcement to tackle sexual assault crimes and secure justice for survivors.

Gabriel J. Esparza, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Administration, emphasized, “North Carolina must be committed to ending sexual assault.” He praised the Council for Women and Youth Involvement for its role in supporting those affected by interpersonal violence and sexual abuse.

Catherine Johnson, Director of the Guilford County Family Justice Center, remarked on the importance of providing coordinated and collaborative solutions to protect survivors, incorporating advocacy, legal, social, and health services. She expressed gratitude for Governor Stein’s advocacy for survivors and acknowledged the role of Family Justice Centers in supporting them.

Avery Crump, Guilford County District Attorney, endorsed the creation of a cold case unit to assist law enforcement and district attorneys in prosecuting cases and providing closure for survivors. Crump said, “A designated cold case unit will help local law enforcement and district attorneys prosecute these cases and find closure for survivors of sexual assault.”

Survivor advocate Valerie Paterson remarked on the lifelong healing journey for survivors, urging for more resources and acknowledging Governor Stein's serious approach to the issue.

Governor Stein presented a proclamation at the center, marking April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. His proposed 2025-2027 budget suggests funding for a cold case unit with experienced officers to aid local police. Previously, as Attorney General, Stein worked to address North Carolina’s long-standing rape kit backlog, testing nearly 12,000 kits in 2024, leading to over 2,700 DNA matches and 256 arrests.

Resources for those experiencing sexual violence are available, including a directory of state-funded sexual assault agencies on the NC Council for Women and Youth Involvement website.