Resources for Reporters
Much of what we know about the rape kit backlog in cities comes not from government reporting, but from the hard work of researchers and journalists investigating this issue. As a member of the press, you have a vital role to play in exposing the lack of transparency and accountability within your community, and/or championing the work that a jurisdiction may be undertaking. You are an integral part of this movement.
The following resources are meant to help guide your work. Please contact media@endthebacklog.org for further assistance.
In an emergency situation, always call 911. Emergency situations include a recent threat of violence, recent act of violence or if someone’s health is in imminent danger. Additionally, there are many resources and crisis lines available to survivors for support in their healing process.
In an emergency situation, always call 911. Emergency situations include a recent threat of violence, recent act of violence or if someone’s health is in imminent danger. Additionally, there are many resources and crisis lines available to survivors for support in their healing process.
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 | www.thehotline.org
Online Hotline: www.thehotline.org (Click the "Chat" button.)
En Español: espanol.thehotline.org
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
You can also live chat with a trained counselor at www.childhelphotline.org.
Call 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711)| SMS: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
Website: www.humantraffickinghotline.org
En Español: www.humantraffickinghotline.org/obtenga-ayuda
Ending the rape kit backlog will take a coordinated effort and deep commitment at all levels of our government and in communities across the United States. That work starts with knowing about it—educating yourself and others—and then committing to reform efforts. Below is a selection of resources for those in positions to affect change in their jurisdiction, through legislation, revised policies and procedures, and executive actions.
Ending the rape kit backlog will take a coordinated effort and deep commitment at all levels of our government and in communities across the United States. That work starts with knowing about it—educating yourself and others—and then committing to reform efforts. Below is a selection of resources for those in positions to affect change in their jurisdiction, through legislation, revised policies and procedures, and executive actions.
Ending the backlog of untested rape kits in the United States will take a deep commitment at all levels of government. Every state must have clear laws and policies mandating deadlines for testing and tracking rape kits. Strong policies for handling rape kits ensure that the criminal justice system holds offenders accountable and builds opportunities for justice and healing for survivors. This handbook provides guidance to state lawmakers drafting rape kit reform legislation, and covers all the provisions that should be included in a comprehensive rape kit reform law.
While many advocates and service providers have learned steps they can take to care for themselves when dealing with issues of sexual assault and the rape kit backlog, reporters may not be aware of the impact of vicarious trauma until they are affected. Since 2009, reporter Rachel Dissell has covered the rape kit backlog for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Her reports with partner Leila Atassi helped to uncover a backlog in Cleveland, spread awareness about the backlog nationwide, and brought survivors' voices into the conversation. Rachel shared some lessons she's learned for other reporters in an exclusive blog post for End the Backlog.
Prepared by Joyful Heart Foundation and All in Together, this webinar provides an introduction to advocacy for those who want to help change policies around sexual assault evidence handling.
Crime victim compensation programs across the country offer crucial financial assistance to victims of violence. This site provides information on how the programs operate in each state and what victims can do to seek help.
Federal reports and resources present a standard for investigation, handling, and prosecution of sexual assault cases as well as in-depth information about rape kit testing processes and procedures.
Federal reports and resources present a standard for investigation, handling, and prosecution of sexual assault cases as well as in-depth information about rape kit testing processes and procedures.
Detroit’s 2011 study inventoried all the unsubmitted rape kits in police property (current to November 1, 2009), investigated why the number of unsubmitted rape kits was very high, and developed and evaluated a plan to test those kits. As of April 2020, Detroit had tested 11,137 kits out of the 11,341 discovered in 2009. This study poses an example of how jurisdictions with large numbers of untested kits can end the backlog.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) lays out an overview of the issue that the number of unanalyzed rape kits nationwide is unknown. This includes NIJ research; results from DNA testing in Detroit, Los Angeles, and New Orleans; and recommendations.
The process map demonstrates the steps a rape kit goes through, from when a law enforcement agency first submits the kit to a lab for testing.
As states and local jurisdictions take steps toward eliminating their rape kit backlogs, they are faced with the question of how to re-engage survivors whose cases are often years—sometimes decades—old in a manner that is not retraumatizing, can enhance the probability that a survivor will engage with the criminal justice system, and will increase the likelihood that a survivor will access supportive services.
As states and local jurisdictions take steps toward eliminating their rape kit backlogs, they are faced with the question of how to re-engage survivors whose cases are often years—sometimes decades—old in a manner that is not retraumatizing, can enhance the probability that a survivor will engage with the criminal justice system, and will increase the likelihood that a survivor will access supportive services.
On May 17, 2016, Ilse Knecht, Joyful Heart's Director of Policy & Advocacy, and Dr. Courtney Ahrens conducted a 40-minute webinar presentation in which they described in detail the methodology of and findings from our recently published report, and conveyed how best to translate this important research into practice.
Trauma has a significant effect on survivors' reflexes during an assault, reactions and behavior after an assault, and their ability to recall details. Understanding the neurobiology of trauma and the impact of trauma on sexual assault survivors vastly improves cold case investigations and victim notification.
Trauma has a significant effect on survivors' reflexes during an assault, reactions and behavior after an assault, and their ability to recall details. Understanding the neurobiology of trauma and the impact of trauma on sexual assault survivors vastly improves cold case investigations and victim notification.
This paper explores how prosecutors’ offices can implement best policies and practices for prosecuting sexual violence.
The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault—Implications for Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Victim Advocacy is a webinar with Dr. Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Psychology at Michigan State University, that specifically focuses on providing information for first responders to sexual assault.
This webinar explains how the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma affects victims' behavior during and after an assault, and how trauma affects memory formation and recall during and immediately after an assault. The webinar also explains how this information on the neurobiology of trauma can inform cold case investigations and victim notification.
This online curriculum provides participants with knowledge about the basic elements of neurobiology and the parts of the brain affected by traumatic experiences, including sexual assault. The course covers the relationship between assault and memory, and the reflexes survivors experience during an assault.
Our news archive provides information about the rape kit backlog, including news from across the country, investigative reports, op-eds, legislation and policy reports, government publications, and more.
Our news archive provides information about the rape kit backlog, including news from across the country, investigative reports, op-eds, legislation and policy reports, government publications, and more.