Just Works Newsletter, December 2025

Dec 01, 2025 Jennifer G. Long, JD, MGA
A Equitas Just Works

I. From the Desk of the CEO: A Note from Jennifer Long

Jennifer G. Long, JD, MGA | Chief Executive Officer, AEquitas

Since 2015, AEquitas has served as the prosecution partner on the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), a Department of Justice Initiative, led by RTI, which brought together multidisciplinary partners reflecting victim advocacy, law enforcement, forensics, labs, medical, and research. The SAKI jurisdictions’ achievements are noteworthy:

  • 245,184 kits inventoried
  • 101,100 kits sent for testing
  • 97,402 kits tested to completion
  • 39,171 DNA profiles uploaded to CODIS
  • 19,035 CODIS hits (including 2,830 to serial sex offenders and 10,176 to serial violent offenders)
  • 30,233 investigations initiated
  • 2,785 cases charged
  • 1,538 convictions secured

The impact of this work cannot be overstated. For example, SAKI partner Associate Professor of Criminology at Cleveland State University Dr. Rachel Lovell has produced several papers explaining the breadth and scope of serial sexual offenders’ perpetration, which cuts across crime types and victim ages, to build on previous work challenging the historical belief that serial rapists “siloed” their criminality and only followed distinct patterns or modus operandi. AEquitas and other partners have been able to apply Dr. Lovell’s research by incorporating lessons learned in our technical assistance and training offerings, exposing how rapists vary their techniques and methods to successfully recommit their crimes and escape accountability.

A decade ago, SAKI forced the nation to confront a painful truth: thousands of untested sexual assault kits represented not just evidence, but real people—people who waited years, sometimes decades, for justice to even begin.

As we mark the 10-year anniversary of SAKI, I find myself reflecting on how far we’ve come—and how far we must still go. Each untested kit represents a survivor awaiting the dignity and justice they deserve.

A decade ago, SAKI forced the nation to confront a painful truth: thousands of untested sexual assault kits represented not just evidence, but real people—people who waited years, sometimes decades, for justice to even begin. This anniversary is a testament to survivors who never gave up, to professionals who refused to look away, and to communities determined to build a better, more accountable system.

At every stage of SAKI’s evolution, AEquitas has been honored to stand alongside jurisdictions across the country to strengthen their investigative and prosecutorial practices. Our work has always been grounded in a simple but demanding belief: justice requires expertise, courage, and compassion—all working together.

That same belief has guided my entire career.

We founded this organization because the traditional law school education was not designed to prepare prosecutors to handle the crimes of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and human trafficking.

When I started as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, it didn’t take long to understand that real justice was only achieved by providing the patience and compassion victims deserved to listen fully to their accounts, recognizing the physical and emotional impact of their assaults, methodically identifying and mapping the evidence, and honing the legal strategies necessary to uncover the truth and to hold violent perpetrators accountable. My experiences working with survivors—and the multidisciplinary professionals whom survivors trusted to fight for justice on their behalf—ultimately led to the creation of AEquitas.

We founded AEquitas because the traditional law school education was not designed to prepare prosecutors to handle the crimes of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and human trafficking. These crimes involve highly complex dynamics, still misunderstood and used by the public and professionals to place blame on victims for their own assaults or reactions. The technology and techniques perpetrators leverage to commit their abuse evolve rapidly. This demands a specialized response grounded in innovation, accountability, and humanity.

That is the mission AEquitas has carried forward throughout the United States and internationally, through SAKI and other innovative projects, like its Model Response to Sexual Violence for Prosecutors, Stalking, Prevention, Response, and Awareness Center, and National Resource Center on Cybercrimes helping prosecutors, and their multidisciplinary partners identify and respond to stalking and online abuse that so frequently co-occurs with sexual violence.

As we honor the 10th anniversary of SAKI’s work on cold cases, in this newsletter, we will spotlight one of AEquitas’s greatest champions, Patti Powers, who retired from AEquitas in December but will continue working on issues related to the prosecution of sexual violence through a National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Initiative. Please read about Patti’s work with us below and thank you for being part of this mission.

Together, we can ensure that justice is no longer the exception—but the expectation.

Jennifer Gentile Long
CEO & Co-Founder, AEquitas

II. SAKI at 10 Years: A Decade of Courage, Accountability, and AEquitas Leadership

Ten years ago, the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) launched with a clear and urgent purpose: every untested sexual assault kit represents a person who deserves justice, answers, and dignity. Over the past decade, SAKI’s impact has been felt across the nation. Long unsolved cases were and continue to be solved as perpetrators are identified and brought to justice. And throughout its evolution, AEquitas has been central to turning that mandate into meaningful, lasting change. AEquitas’ trainings and expert publications developed through the SAKI initiative can be found here and on AEquitas’ main website. AEquitas’ Model Response to Sexual Violence for Prosecutors can also be found here along with outcome and process measures for jurisdictions to map their own effectiveness at handling sexual assault.

III. Staff Spotlight: Patti Powers

Meet Patti Powers

Before we turn to our conversation, I want to take a moment to introduce a woman whose career reflects the very heart of AEquitas’ mission—discipline, courage, and an unrelenting commitment to justice.

Patricia (“Patti”) D. Powers is one of those rare professionals who has spent an entire career doing the hardest work, in the hardest cases, for the right reasons. A seasoned trial attorney and Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for nearly three decades in Washington State, Patti built her reputation by taking on complex prosecutions involving sexual violence, domestic violence, child sexual and physical abuse, homicides, and cold cases—and by taking them all the way to trial.

Patti built her reputation by taking on complex prosecutions involving sexual violence, domestic violence, child sexual and physical abuse, homicides, and cold cases—and by taking them all the way to trial.

Two of those cold case homicide prosecutions were later featured on On the Case with Paula Zahn, but what matters more is what came before the cameras: meticulous preparation, deep respect for victims, and an unwavering belief that accountability is possible—even years later.

Since 1998, Patti has been sought out nationally and internationally as a subject matter expert, sharing innovative trial strategies that help juries understand evidence in the most challenging cases. Her expertise has also been recognized at the federal level; she was appointed as a Highly Qualified Expert for the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, where she consulted on sexual assault and domestic violence cases involving service members and trained Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Special Agents and Judge Advocate General officers.

Even while leading and supervising a Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit as a prosecutor, Patti remained deeply invested in education and systems change. She helped develop curriculum and served as a prosecutor presenter for Legal Momentum’s National Judicial Education Program, Understanding Sexual Violence: Prosecuting Adult Rape and Sexual Assault Cases. She was also honored with appointment as a Master of the Bar in the John Gavin Chapter of the American Inns of Court—recognition reserved for those whose careers exemplify excellence, ethics, and mentorship.

Patti’s work has always been grounded in collaboration. She understands that justice is not achieved in isolation, and her career reflects deep partnerships with law enforcement, forensic examiners, victim advocates, and allied professionals. She co-founded a county sexual assault task force in Yakima and served on multiple Domestic Violence and Child Fatality Review Committees at both the county and state levels. Her leadership has also extended to roles as an Assistant Attorney General for Washington State, Lead Attorney for the Yakama Nation Public Defender’s Office, President of the Yakima County Bar Association, President of the YWCA Board of Directors, and as a college instructor teaching courses on criminal law, domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect.

Patti often says, “In my heart, I will always be a prosecutor.” That statement captures exactly why she was such a powerful force at AEquitas: her identity is rooted not in titles, but in responsibility—to victims, to the truth, and to the pursuit of justice done right.

Outside the courtroom and classroom, Patti enjoys traveling with her husband Terry; spending time with their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson; doting on their basset hound Sofie; attending the symphony; and staying actively engaged in her community through Rotary.

Patti earned her Bachelor of Arts in Government from Idaho State University and her Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law.

It was an honor to work alongside her—and an even greater privilege to sit down with her for this conversation. I’m delighted to welcome you to this Q&A with the fearless Patti Powers.

Her identity is rooted not in titles, but in responsibility—to victims, to the truth, and to the pursuit of justice done right.

Q&A with Patti Powers

01 Long: What is a truth about our field and your work in particular that took you a long time to understand?

Powers: We have the privilege of working with courageous victims and families who place their trust in us, which in turn energizes our passionate commitment to the work of justice.

02 Long: What person, survivor, or colleague had the biggest impact on your career, and in what way?

Powers: My family’s solid support has been invaluable and inspiring for the work I have been able to do as a prosecutor and for prosecutors and associated professionals.

I have also been privileged to work with child and adult victims of sexual violence who have demonstrated amazing courage in challenging circumstances to not only respond to this crime through prosecution, but also by their desire to help prevent other victims from being injured.

03 Long: What moments or cases defined your understanding of justice, victim-centered practice, or offender accountability?

Powers: Throughout my career as a prosecutor, it meant so much to me to meet with victims after juries delivered their verdicts. These moments were my opportunity to voice my appreciation of the trust they placed in me to help deliver justice and to thank them for the result they made possible.

In particular, the last case I tried was a domestic violence homicide that culminated in a guilty verdict. This lengthy trial involved numerous lay and law enforcement witnesses, several forensic experts, and the opportunity to deliver a closing argument that brought the reality of this crime to the jury. The family was present throughout several hearings and the trial. I had the opportunity after the verdict to thank them for their courage and commitment to justice.

04 Long: If you could write a short message to the next generation entering this work, what would you want them to hold onto?

Powers: In my heart, I will always be a prosecutor. My hope is that this opportunity to serve victims and communities brings to everyone a sense of honor and strength of purpose in this work.

05 Long: If you had one wish for the future of AEquitas, what would it be?

Powers: I wish my colleagues and AEquitas continued success and the opportunity to develop new ideas in a global approach to prosecution of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking and stalking. At the core of this work is a deep understanding of these crimes and the potential of behavioral and forensic evidence to make the truth more accessible to prosecutors.

“Throughout my career as a prosecutor, it meant to much to me to meet with victims after juries delivered their verdicts….

These moments were my opportunity to voice my appreciation of the trust they placed in me.”

01 Long: AEquitas has a unique mission and culture. What part of that culture shaped you the most?

Powers: It was a wonderful opportunity to be part of an amazing team of professionals who shared such a strong commitment to each other and the mission of AEquitas. This support has been instrumental in the development of innovative, multi-faceted solutions to current challenges in prosecution.

02 Long: What’s one lesson you learned here that you wish every new prosecutor, advocate, or team member understood on day one?

Powers: The truth of the crime is always there. It is our work to discover it. This requires a depth of analysis, discussion with each other, and patience to find the answers.

03 Long: How did the work change you—professionally and personally?

Powers: I don’t know that I have changed, but I loved and always will love the work I have done and the opportunities I will have to help more.

IV. Announcing New Podcast Coming in January + Season 3 of Just Champions Podcast

Launching Soon: The Traffick Report Podcast

Mark you calendars—Season 1 of AEquitas’ new podcast, The Traffick Report, is coming on January 12th, 2026!

This new podcast will feature professionals from various disciplines, including law enforcement, victim services, and medical professionals, who will share their insight, challenges, and successes in the fight against human trafficking.

New Season of Just Champions Podcast Coming April 2026

On our award-winning Just Champions podcast, hosted by AEquitas CEO Jennifer Long, we sit down with leading prosecutors, legal scholars, and advocates to unpack the court cases shaping the fight against sexual violence, intimate partner abuse, stalking, and human trafficking.

Stay tuned for Season 3, coming on April 6th, 2026! On this new season of Just Champions, we will center our discussions on strategies for prosecuting sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and human trafficking around films, TV series, and documentaries.

Listen to Seasons 1 and 2 now for free!

V. Why Your Gift Matters

As we close this conversation, I want to be clear about what’s at stake and why your support matters right now. The work you’ve read about today does not happen by accident. It happens because committed donors choose to invest in expertise, training, and systems that change outcomes for victims and hold offenders accountable. At AEquitas, we translate decades of frontline experience—like Patti’s—into practical guidance that prosecutors, law enforcement, and justice professionals rely on when the cases are hardest and the consequences are highest.

Why your support matters right now: The work you’ve read about today does not happen by accident. It happens because committed donors choose to invest in expertise, training, and systems that change outcomes for victims and hold offenders accountable.

Giving now is not symbolic; it is operational. It funds the training that prevents cases from falling apart, the technical assistance that strengthens prosecutions, and the national leadership that ensures victims are not silenced by system failure. If you believe justice should be done well—not just promised—then this is the moment to act. Your gift today directly fuels impact, accountability, and lasting change. Please consider making an end-of-year contribution here or you may send a check, payable to AEquitas and sent to 1000 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20005. For directions on ACH please reach out to me directly at [email protected].

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Jennifer Gentile Long
CEO & Co-Founder, AEquitas

VI. Ways to Stay Connected

P.S. If any part of our newsletter moved you, informed you, or taught you something you didn’t previously know—an idea, a story, a voice—let me know at [email protected]. I read every note. –JGL