First, IGNITE at UCLA proposes policy to address the barriers limiting rape test kit accessibility, including transportation concerns and police involvement. Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center has been actively improving its transportation program since we started working with them. Currently, the biggest issue is that no one knows about this resource. IGNITE at UCLA is dedicated to educating students on their access to free transportation to the Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center, as well as increase transportation for all University of California students. 

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Second, IGNITE wants to address and fix occurrences of wrong information about the center provided by UCLA. UCLA websites currently list inaccurate and inaccessible information about the SMRTC. For example, the number on the back of UCLA bruin cards puts students in contact with the Santa Monica General Hospital, not the Rape Treatment Center. Incorrect information provides an additional barrier to student survivors, and we are therefore working hard to resolve both of these issues.

 

Third, IGNITE is committed to establishing a relationship between the Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center and UCLA organizations. More specifically, we are working to make sure Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center employees can speak at UCLA New Student Orientation as well as connect with Athletics, Greek Life, SOLE, ResLife, and other campus resources for educational purposes. 

 

Lastly, IGNITE is committed to continuing lobbying to UC REGENTS about prioritizing rape test kit access on their campuses by writing letters signed by all UC schools and public commenting to draw attention to our initiative. We will continue advocating for rape test kits to be available at University hospitals, but on a wider scale to encompass all UC schools, especially considering that some universities do not even have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners at their local hospitals.