Soon this sexual assault evidence collection kit will give new hope to sexual assault victims. Dubbed "Jane Doe" rape kit, starting in 2009, they will give women the chance to undergo an anonymous emergency room rape exam, without having to report it to police. It may help reduce the number of victims who never come forward.

These "Jane Doe" rape kits may soon be in emergency rooms all across the country, trying to eliminate one of the biggest challenges when prosecuting a rape case: a woman may be so traumatized that by the time she decides to press charges, it is too late to collect evidence.

For Christine Anderson and Cathy Martin, rape is a difficult reality to accept.

"I think it's scary to think that someone could do something like that to another human being without any remorse at all for it," said Christine Anderson, a junior at Augustana College. 

And they know the moments after are critical in collecting evidence. But right now, if a woman requests a rape kit, she must report the rape to police.

Tanya Drapher Douthit with the Rape and Domestic Abuse Center says that decision to press charges is a hard decision to make, adding, "Especially in that immediate aftermath when evidence collection is so important."

Tanya says because of that pressure to decide, up to 84% of sexual abuse cases go unreported. But these rape kits will allow evidence to be kept on file, marked with only a number, until a victim is ready.

"This will hopefully allow people to still get that medical attention, get the evidence collection, and then make the choice whether they want to report beyond that," said Drapher Douthit.

A choice Cathy and Christine appreciate.

"It's not a woulda, coulda, shoulda situation where later on you'll regret not coming forward," said Cathy Martin, a freshman at Augustana College.

States that receive funding through the federal "Violence Against Women Act" must have these "Jane Doe" kits in emergency rooms by January 5, 2009.

The new requirement applies to only adult victims. Hospitals and doctors must still report abuse involving children to the police.