Sexual Assault Response Recommitment

The Ramsey County Board recognized the importance of improving our systems response to reports of sexual assault when it first became a Start by Believing Community in 2016. In 2025, we renew our pledge to improve and acknowledge additional areas of opportunities for growth.

Law enforcement, prosecutors, and Ramsey County victim/survivor advocates commit to the following:

• Provide and support culturally responsive and trauma-informed training to better serve victims/survivors of all backgrounds, especially those identified in the Minnesota Justice Research Center’s Report entitled “I want to be heard,” dated August 19, 2024.
• Invest in retention of designated investigators trained in sexual assault investigations.
• Enhance commitment to community advocacy and victim/survivors by involving an advocate early and consistently throughout the investigation process.
• Support additional resources for community advocates to assist law enforcement and better serve all victim/survivors of sexual assault.

Related Resources:

• Press Conference Event 5.7.25
• Implementation Plan 4.4.19 (PDF)
• Recommitment Memorandum of Understanding 5.7.25 (PDF)
• Memorandum of Understanding 4.4.2019 (PDF)
• Press Release 5.7.25 (PDF)
• Press Release 4.4.19 (PDF)
• Press Conference 4,14,19 (Video)

Additional resources:

• Ramsey County Starts by Believing
• Sexual Assault Systems Review
• I want to be heard