Washington DC

The extent of the untested rape kit backlog in Washington, D.C. is unknown. Washington, D.C. law does not require law enforcement to track rape kits. 

In 2014, Washington, D.C. enacted a law requiring the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to submit rape kits for testing within 7 days of a victim filing a report and the lab to test kits within 90 days of receipt. The law also granted victims the right to be informed, upon request, of the results of forensic evidence and toxicology testing, as well as notified before MPD attempts to contact a suspect. In addition, the law mandated that the Washington, D.C. Office of Victim Services hire an Independent Expert Consultant to assess MPD policies, practices, and training, and report on the implementation of the law for two years. 

In 2015, The Accountability Project issued an open records request to bring the number of untested kits in Washington, D.C. to light. To date, we have not received a complete response to this request.

In 2017, Washington, D.C. legislators introduced a bill to strengthen victims' right to notice regarding information about their rape kits, including the right to receive notice 60 days in advance of planned kit destruction. This bill failed to pass.

In 2019, legislators introduced rape kit reform bills. Learn more here. 

TAKE ACTION TODAY TO BRING FURTHER RAPE KIT REFORM TO WASHINGTON, D.C.