Local law enforcement launches online sexual assault reporting tool

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office's new "Seek Then Speak" program has just been announced as a new online resource for sexual assault victims.

The program can be accessed through an application, which provides survivors with steps to seek help and create a report.

News-Press now reached out to the Buchanan County Sheriff's office to ask Sheriff Bill Puett about the goal of the new program.

"If we can increase the reporting of sexual assault and, you know, the removal of suspects from the street, then obviously we're making our community a safer place," said Puett.

According to a Facebook post from the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, "SEEK helps survivors and supports people gathering information and exploring options, while SPEAK provides a way for survivors to begin the process of reporting to law enforcement by completing a self-guided interview and generating a report."

More information about the app and program can be found at www.evawintl.org/seek-then-speak-resources/.