This year marks 35 years since the founding of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP) – a milestone worth celebrating as we reflect on decades of advocacy, community building, and survivor-centered progress across the Commonwealth.
While KASAP was officially established in 1990, its roots trace back to the 1970s, when women across Kentucky operated grassroots crisis hotlines from their homes to support survivors of sexual violence. What began as local, volunteer-led efforts quickly evolved into a statewide movement for change.
Pioneering Protections and Legislative Wins
Over the years, Kentucky has seen landmark changes, many of which KASAP and its member programs helped push forward:
- 1974 – Hospitals are mandated to provide forensic exams for survivors.
- 1978 – Kentucky passes its first Rape Shield Law, protecting survivors’ privacy in court.
- 1986 – Rape Crisis Centers receive state funding, expanding access to services across rural regions.
- 1990 – KASAP is formed, uniting programs under a shared mission and eliminating the marital rape exemption—a groundbreaking shift in Kentucky law.
- 1996 – Kentucky implements a statewide medical protocol for sexual assault forensic exams and launches one of the nation’s first SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) credentialing programs.
Championing Survivors and Expanding Services
KASAP has worked tirelessly to ensure survivors are met with dignity and care:
- 2008 – Kentucky outlaws polygraphing of rape victims, strengthening survivor credibility.
- 2014–2016 – New laws allow protective orders for sexual assault victims, address human trafficking, and tackle the backlog of untested rape kits via the SAFE Act.
- 2016 – A groundbreaking study confirms that the Green Dot bystander intervention program, implemented in Kentucky schools, reduces rates of sexual and dating violence significantly.
Expanding Impact and Supporting the Kentucky Community
KASAP’s work is rooted in supporting the survivors of sexual violence across the Commonwealth and building a safer, stronger Kentucky for all:
- 2022 – Launch of the Access Healing Project to improve services for Kentucky survivors and ensure everyone can access the help they need.
- 2023 – Release of “Believe Me”, a powerful documentary on Kentucky survivor stories, aired on KET during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Looking Ahead
From founding local rape crisis centers to shaping national conversations about healing and justice, KASAP has spent the last 35 years creating a safer, more supportive Kentucky. The work is far from over, but this anniversary is a moment to honor what’s been built, who has made it possible, and the countless survivors whose courage drives this movement forward.
To learn more, get involved, or support our work, visit kasap.org.
