Congresswoman Nancy Mace has reintroduced the Rape Shield Enhancement Act of 2025, aiming to protect survivors of sexual assault from retraumatization during court proceedings. The legislation focuses on treating survivors with dignity and strengthens federal protections to ensure courtrooms are used to hold offenders accountable.
“As a survivor, I know what it feels like to be doubted, judged, and picked apart,” stated 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 from Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S expressed support for 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.”
Tosha Connors from My Sister’s House also backed 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…is an important step for all people seeking protections through our justice system.”
Kristin Dubrowski from Hopeful Horizons added her support: “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…Legislation that strengthens privacy protections for victims/survivors is an important step toward safer communities for everyone.”
The bill directs updates to federal court rules that will further restrict evidence admissibility regarding an alleged victim’s sexual behavior or predisposition in court. It aims to strengthen privacy safeguards and limit overly broad discovery requests unless directly relevant to cases while ensuring consistency with federal laws protecting victims’ rights.
