Silent Witness: Ashley Spence on Survival, DNA Justice & Systemic Change

In Season 2, Episode 63 of Victim 2 Victor, we are honored to welcome Ashley Spence - a survivor, advocate, and founder of the DNA Justice Project. At just 19, Ashley survived a brutal home invasion and sexual assault that changed her life forever. Years later, forensic DNA would bring her attacker to justice, resulting in a sentence of nearly 138 years.

Ashley turned her pain into purpose, launching a national movement to expand the use of forensic DNA to solve crimes, exonerate the innocent, and protect future victims. Through her nonprofit and her powerful memoir Silent Witness, she is rewriting how justice can be served - with truth, technology, and tireless advocacy.

In this powerful conversation, Ashley shares:

• Her journey from trauma to activism
• The critical role DNA played in her healing and case resolution
• How the DNA Justice Project is transforming policy and saving lives
• Why forensic DNA matters for survivors, lawmakers, and communities alike

This episode is a call to awareness - and action - on the life-saving potential of forensic science and the courage it takes to stand as a voice for justice.

📚 Grab Ashley’s memoir Silent Witness
🌐 Learn more: DNAJusticeProject.org
📲 Connect with Ashley on Instagram: @ashleyespence