In 2013, Amanda Nguyen was a Harvard senior with a clear future ahead of her. With ambitions that included working with NASA, she was on the brink of graduating and stepping into a promising career. But just weeks before that milestone, her life took a devastating turn. She became a survivor of sexual assault—an experience that would not only challenge her personally, but ultimately reshape her path in ways she never expected.
Nguyen chose to report the assault, enduring the difficult and often overwhelming forensic process that follows. Like many survivors, she wanted justice—but what she discovered next revealed a deeply flawed system. After submitting her rape kit under anonymity to protect her identity, she learned that the evidence could be destroyed within months if she did not take continuous legal action to preserve it.
This meant reliving her trauma again and again—filing extensions, navigating complex legal procedures, and racing against time simply to keep her case alive. What should have been a straightforward process was instead a burden placed entirely on the survivor. As Nguyen began researching, she uncovered a troubling reality: laws regarding the preservation of evidence varied widely across the United States. In some states, survivors had only weeks before their evidence could be discarded. In others, they could even be charged fees.
This inconsistency sparked something in her. Nguyen realized that justice should not depend on geography. Determined to change the system, she began studying laws across all fifty states, identifying gaps and inequalities that left survivors vulnerable. Her personal struggle became the foundation for a larger mission.
In 2014, she founded RISE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Through RISE, Nguyen worked to advocate for legal reform, pushing for clear and consistent protections nationwide. She met with lawmakers, shared her story publicly, and faced skepticism along the way—but she continued forward with unwavering resolve.
Her efforts led to a historic breakthrough. In 2016, the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act—often called the Survivors’ Bill of Rights—was passed unanimously by the United States Congress. It was later signed into law by President Barack Obama. Nguyen was just 24 years old.
The legislation ensured that survivors have the right to preserve their evidence without fear of it being destroyed, along with other critical protections. It marked a significant step toward a more just and supportive system.
Amanda Nguyen’s story is not just one of survival—it is one of transformation. She took a deeply personal injustice and turned it into meaningful, lasting change. Her work continues to impact countless lives, proving that even in the face of adversity, one voice can reshape an entire system.
Her journey stands as a powerful reminder: resilience can lead to reform, and courage can change the law.
