Today, the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) released a new, original framework defining, naming, and confronting state sexual violence. State sexual violence is sexual harm carried out or enabled by the government. The framework introduces two distinct but interconnected categories, state-sanctioned and state-tolerated sexual violence, describing how sexual violence is embedded in laws, required within institutions, covered up by officials, and intentionally ignored by governmental actors.
This framework is now a core pillar of SVPA’s work. It will guide the organization’s future research, state and federal advocacy, and public education efforts.
“Sexual violence is not just a harm between two individuals. It is built into systems,” said Omny Miranda Martone, Founder and CEO of SVPA. “This framework gives language to systems of harm that our government has permitted for years. Forced pat downs, unnecessary strip searches, videocameras in prison showers- sexual violence is built into our laws.”
State sexual violence encompasses both state-sanctioned and state-tolerated sexual violence. State-sanctioned sexual violence is nonconsensual sexual acts carried out by government agents or institutions with explicit authorization or legal protection, often justified under claims of “security” or “public safety.” A clear example is strip and cavity searches in jails and prisons, where correctional staff are legally permitted, and often required, to force people to expose themselves and undergo invasive inspections of their bodies without consent.
State-tolerated sexual violence is nonconsensual sexual acts that are illegal but persist because the state implicitly allows them through inaction, retaliation, or systemic failure to hold perpetrators accountable. Military sexual assault exemplifies this dynamic, as survivors who report abuse by superiors frequently face retaliation while cases are buried or mishandled within the chain of command, enabling the violence to continue.
“SVPA’s advocacy demonstrates the power of this framework,” said Katie Knick, Director of Research at SVPA. “We have achieved meaningful wins in the fight against state sexual violence, working across states and the federal government to oppose harmful policies and advance protective legislation.”
Recent state actions include:
- Montana HB 605 (Opposed & Vetoed): SVPA successfully opposed a bill that would have dramatically expanded strip searches for people charged with misdemeanors. In May 2025, the Governor vetoed the bill, protecting hundreds of thousands of people from state-sanctioned sexual violence.
- Idaho HB 696 (Endorsed & Signed into Law): SVPA endorsed a bill strengthening protections for incarcerated people and making it a felony for prison staff to engage in sexual contact with incarcerated individuals. It was signed into law in April 2026.
- Connecticut Strip Search Policy Reform (Pressured & Improved): SVPA pressured Connecticut to limit strip searches, increase alternatives, and improve protection practices. In April 2026, body scanners were added and protocols were updated.
- Colorado HB 26-1123 (Endorsed & In Progress): SVPA endorsed a bill minimizing strip and cavity searches in Colorado jails and increasing protections. The bill passed the Senate and we are still working on it in the House.
Recent federal actions include:
- DOJ PREA Rollback (Opposed): SVPA condemned the Department of Justice’s rollback of Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) protections for trans and intersex people. In March 2026, we held a 12866 meeting with the DOJ to urge them against these harmful rollbacks.
- WISE Act (Endorsed): SVPA endorsed the Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment Act, which protects immigrant survivors by closing visa gaps, granting work authorization, limiting enforcement at sensitive locations, and strengthening confidentiality protections.
- Congress Letter on ICE/CBP Abuse (Co-signed): SVPA co-signed a letter with the Gender Equity Coalition and 120 other organizations condemning sexual abuse perpetrated by ICE and CBP against immigrants, demanding oversight, funding restrictions, and enforceable protections.
- HHS Rules on LGBTQ+ Youth (Opposed): SVPA submitted two official comments to the Department of Health and Human Services opposing their proposed restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors under Medicaid and Medicare. We argued this would perpetuate state sexual violence by mandating genital checks on children and denying bodily autonomy.
By defining state sexual violence, SVPA aims to shift how policymakers, advocates, and the public understand these pervasive forms of government abuse. We will continue to expand research, push for regulatory reform, and advocate for legislation across the country to prevent state sexual violence.
“This framework is about accountability,” Martone added. “When the state condones, authorizes, excuses, or ignores sexual violence, it becomes the perpetrator. Ending sexual violence requires stopping the government from committing it.”
The full framework, “State Sexual Violence: State-Sanctioned and State-Tolerated Sexual Violence”, is available here.
