The resolution introduced on March 24, 2025, calls for a comprehensive study by the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to analyze trends in the reporting, arrest, and conviction rates for sexual assault crimes in West Virginia over the past decade. It highlights concerning statistics, such as West Virginia's ranking of 17th in the nation for reports of forcible rape and the alarming fact that 88 percent of sexual assault cases in the state remain unsolved. The study aims to examine various metrics, including the ratio of reported offenses to arrests, conviction rates relative to charges filed, and the types of offenses leading to convictions, while also exploring potential reasons for observed trends.

The resolution emphasizes the need for timely and accurate data, as national reports on sexual violence trends often lag behind due to lengthy collection and analysis processes. The findings from this study are expected to be reported to the Legislature during the regular session of 2026, along with any recommendations for legislative action. Funding for the study and related activities will be sourced from legislative appropriations allocated to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.