Mace Reintroduces Bill To Defend Rape Survivors And Restore Law And Order In The Courtroom

(Washington, D.C., June 16th, 2025) – Congresswoman Nancy Mace has reintroduced the Rape Shield Enhancement Act of 2025, a straightforward, hard-hitting bill to protect survivors of sexual assault from being retraumatized in the courtroom.

This legislation demands one simple thing: survivors be treated with dignity, not suspicion. It strengthens federal protections to ensure the courtroom isn’t used to interrogate victims about their past, but to hold predators accountable for their crimes.

“As a survivor, I know what it feels like to be doubted, judged, and picked apart,” said Congresswoman Mace. “Too often, survivors are the ones put on trial, interrogated about their past instead of the crime committed against them. This bill flips the script. It demands dignity, enforces respect, and puts law and order back where it belongs: on the side of victims, not predators”

Deborah Freel, Executive Director of Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S, who provides essential services for survivors of sexual violence and leads community education on awareness and prevention backed the bill:

“Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S. Sexual Assault Center (TCS) is deeply grateful to Representative Nancy Mace for her advocacy on behalf of survivors of sexual violence through the proposed Rape Shield Enhancement Act. This important legislation is designed to protect a survivor’s personal history from public scrutiny when seeking justice,” said Freel. “Only one in four rape survivors reports the assault to law enforcement, and just 4% of all sexual assault cases proceed to trial. The barriers to justice for survivors are many. Our criminal and civil justice systems should provide a path to justice that holds perpetrators accountable—not expose irrelevant aspects of a survivor’s life.”

Tosha Connors, CEO of My Sister’s House, an organization who provides resources and support to survivors of domestic violence supported the legislation: 

“This year alone, My Sister’s House has served 229 victims of intimate partner violence through our court advocacy program. While each case is unique, we know the introduction and reintroduction of legislation like the Rape Shield Enhancement Act, which would work to support rape victims and better safeguard their rights, is an important step for all people seeking protections through our justice system,” said Connors. 

Kristin Dubrowski, Chief Executive Office of Hopeful Horizons, a children’s advocacy, domestic violence and sexual assault victim service organization serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper and Allendale counties in South Carolina supported this bill:

“The Rape Shield Enhancement Act would not only ensure critical privacy protections for victims/survivors of sexual assault in the courtroom, but may also help increase reporting,” said Dubrowski. “Rape is one of the most underreported crimes and privacy concerns can play a significant role in whether victims/survivors feel comfortable reporting the assault. Legislation that strengthens privacy protections for victims/survivors is an important step toward safer communities for everyone.”

The bill directs the Judicial Conference to review and recommend updates to federal court rules that would:

• Further restrict the admissibility of evidence regarding an alleged victim’s sexual behavior or predisposition in court.
• Strengthen privacy safeguards for any such evidence that is deemed admissible, including how it may be shared or disclosed.
• Limit overly broad discovery requests in civil and criminal proceedings that seek irrelevant or invasive personal records, such as financial, medical, psychological, or sexual history, unless they are directly relevant to the case.
• Ensure all discovery and evidentiary procedures are consistent with federal laws protecting victims’ rights.

###