Last year, the Perry County DA’s office filed charges in 65% of all reported sex crimes, more than double the state average.
District Attorney Clay Merris has been a sex crimes prosecutor in Perry County since 2019, when he left his private practice and came to the DA’s office, hoping to use his legal training to make a difference.
Commissioner Bill Lyons, for example, sits in on meetings about grant funding for sex crimes prosecution and the ways police and prosecutors can improve their investigatory tactics. Merris said reviewing the sex assault protocol gives the county a chance to study new evidence-based findings on what does, and doesn’t, encourage victims to cooperate with law enforcement.A 50-page document lays out Perry County’s procedures for investigating sex crimes.
“We want the police to be able to figure out what happened, but in a way” that doesn’t make the victim feel judged, Merris said. The YWCA has an emergency shelter in Perry County and “mobile advocates” that travel throughout the county to make their presence known. Some offices in Pennsylvania said they offer help to victims whether or not the case goes forward, but that’s not the standard.
SART reviews specific cases and the evidence that’s been gathered and makes sure all sexual assault forensic kits get tested, according to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. But in Maryland, making sure evidence is thoroughly examined and tested is common practice, advocates said. “If that’s your red flag, you’re in trouble,” he said of delayed reporting. “I guess I don’t have red flags, no. Every case is different.”
“Here’s another girl who walks away thinking she got justice, but she didn’t,” he said of his mindset at the time. “Now there’s a rapist walking around.”
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