Across the country, the rape kit backlog is making headlines. Journalists are uncovering backlogs, jurisdictions are implementing reforms to track and test rape kits and citizens are taking action. In the Media Center, you'll find the latest information about the backlog, including: commentary from the END THE BACKLOG staff and backlog reformers, first-person testimonials from those impacted by the backlog, an archive of news articles, op-eds, investigative reports, legislation and government publications we've identified, and more.
EndTheBacklogJanuary 14, 2019
Successes in 2018: 18 Laws, 16 States
In 2018, rape kit reform took a tremendous step forward. Survivors, advocates, legislators, and countless others around the country rallied around ending the backlog, investigating cases, and supporting survivors. In 2018, 18 rape kit reform laws were enacted in 16 states. Hawai‘i, our birthplace, and New York, our current home state, both joined Texas in enacting full rape kit reform.
EndTheBacklogOctober 23, 2018
Georgia Serial Rapist Caught After Backlogged Kits Were Tested
A sexual assault survivor should not have to wait 10 years for their rape kit to be tested, but that happened in a Fulton County, Georgia case. While this kit sat on the shelf, the perpetrator sexually assaulted more people and committed other crimes.
EndTheBacklogOctober 11, 2018
New Funding Announced to Test Backlogged Kits and Support Survivors
At Joyful Heart, we are a proud partner in the effort to create funding opportunities, like the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), for jurisdictions seeking to address their untested rape kit backlogs. For four years, we have engaged with members of Congress to secure funding for SAKI to support the work being done across the country.
EndTheBacklogJune 25, 2018
Preventable Crimes in California
The untested rape kit backlog denies justice for sexual assault survivors and communities. For every untested kit, there is a perpetrator who is not held accountable for their crime, free to re-offend and commit other crimes. Keith Asberry, 33, of Antioch, California is one of those offenders.
EndTheBacklogJune 25, 2018
June Update: State Legislative Reform in 2018
In April, we provided a snapshot of rape kit reform across the country. Since then, many state legislatures have wrapped up for the year. Let’s take a look at how rape kit reform has fared across the country and which states are enacting Joyful Heart’s six pillars.
EndTheBacklogJune 5, 2018
Property and Evidence Warehouses: Ensuring Victims’ Rights from the Back Room
Our guest authors, Doreen Jokerst and Maria Pettolina, hail from Parker, Colorado. Doreen is the Support Services Commander for the Parker Police Department. She has 19 years experience in law enforcement working in various divisions including patrol, investigations, and professional standards. Maria is the Crime Scene and Evidence Manager with the Parker Police Department. She has 10 years of experience with evidence management, and has been involved with over 100 sexual assault cases. They share their thoughts on the ways property and evidence room managers can help improve the rape kit handling process.
EndTheBacklogApril 27, 2018
Mid-Year Update: State Legislative Reform in 2018
Enacting Joyful Heart’s six pillars in law is the only way to ensure that neither discretion nor resources can be used any longer as an excuse to deny sexual assault survivors the justice they deserve. Since January 2018, 33 rape kit reform bills have been introduced in 21 states.
EndTheBacklogApril 27, 2018
I Am a Survivor
Natasha Alexenko is a survivor, activist, and educator who is working to change the criminal justice system’s response to sexual assault. In 2011, she started Natasha’s Justice Project, a nonprofit dedicated to processing the untested sexual assault kits in the United States. Here, she reflects on being a survivor during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
