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.
EndTheBacklogMay 8, 2017
Justice Delayed: 20 Years Later, a Conviction
On August 30, 1997, an 18-year-old woman was walking home from a friend’s house in Columbus, Ohio when a stranger violently attacked and raped her. Last month, 20 years after the attack, Joseph E. Carter was finally convicted for rape.
EndTheBacklogApril 17, 2017
Four Myths About the Backlog of Untested Rape Kits
This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we are challenging the myths that stand as obstacles to meaningful rape kit reform.
EndTheBacklogApril 17, 2017
Kansas Working Group as a Model for Successful Collaboration
Katie Whisman leads the Kansas Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, a statewide multidisciplinary working group tasked with addressing the state’s existing backlog and developing standardized practices to improve the handling of rape kits. Here, Katie shares her experiences with the group, whose successes include achieving 100 percent law enforcement agency participation in a voluntary statewide audit of unsubmitted rape kits.
EndTheBacklogMarch 29, 2017
The Accountability Project: Cities Hinder Efforts to Shed Light on Untested Rape Kits
Over the past three years, we have used public records requests to uncover nearly 39,000 untested rape kits in 41 jurisdictions across 28 states. Today, we are releasing information from cities that have not responded or have not fully responded to our requests. Despite years of effort, and multiple attempts, these cities have refused or ignored our requests for information—or have outright admitted that they don't know the extent of their rape kit backlogs—and have not taken any steps to start counting.
EndTheBacklogMarch 16, 2017
Legislators Must Fund Rape Kit Reform
As a growing number of states seek to address their backlogs, some legislators have embraced creative approaches to finding funding for rape kit reform. While states can consider alternate funding measures to support public safety, it remains the duty of the legislature to use general funds to correct the injustice of untested rape kits.
EndTheBacklogMarch 16, 2017
Guest Post: My Journey from Survivor to Survivor Advocate
Survivor advocate Michelle Kuiper is a powerful advocate for rape kit reform in Kentucky and across the country. Here, she shares her journey and provides useful advocacy tips for survivors who want to take action.
EndTheBacklogMarch 8, 2017
Joyful Heart Foundation: Utah is a Model of Bipartisan Cooperation on Rape Kit Reform
H.B. 200, which has now passed both houses of the Utah state legislature, mandates the testing of all rape kits, requires annual reporting on the processing of rape kits, and authorizes the development of a statewide kit tracking system with a victim portal.
EndTheBacklogFebruary 21, 2017
The Accountability Project Uncovers Over 1,000 Additional Untested Rape Kits
Earlier this month, Joyful Heart released records acquired from 11 new jurisdictions through The Accountability Project. Using public records requests, we have uncovered more than 34,000 untested rape kits to date.
