On March 15, The New York Times profiled a bill introduced in Texas that would enable individuals to donate to rape kit testing. Texas has a backlog of nearly 20,000 untested rape kits—testing these kits, investigating cases, and prosecuting offenders requires significant resources. As a growing number of states seek to address their backlogs, legislators […]
In January, we heard from Kentucky State Senator Denise Harper Angel and survivor advocate Michelle Kuiper, who offered further insight into legislative efforts to end the backlog in Kentucky. This month, Michelle is back to share her journey to advocacy and provide useful tips for survivors who want to take action. Michelle is a powerful […]
For Immediate Release: March 8, 2017Contact: Melissa Schwartz, media@endthebacklog.org NEW YORK – The Joyful Heart Foundation, a leader in the effort to eliminate the national rape kit backlog, today applauded the Utah state legislature’s passage of H.B. 200, which takes significant and lasting steps to reform rape kit policies across the state. DNA evidence is […]
Since 2014, Joyful Heart has worked in partnership with pro bono law firm Goodwin LLP to uncover the number of untested rape kits in cities across the country through The Accountability Project. Using public records requests, we have uncovered more than 34,000 untested rape kits to date. Earlier this month, we released information from 11 […]
Many states around the country kicked off their legislative sessions last month. There has already been a flurry of legislative activity stemming from increased awareness about the extent of the untested rape kit backlog and how this problem represents a failure of the criminal justice system to protect survivors and hold offenders accountable. With more […]
Today’s guest post from the California Department of Justice Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory highlights the Rapid DNA Service (RADS) system, which has enabled the faster processing of DNA in newly collected rape kits in California. Here, the laboratory explores the impact of the program and the state’s progress in expanding RADS to all counties. In 2014, […]
Urges State Legislature to Ensure Consistency through Comprehensive Reform For Immediate Release: February 2, 2017Contact: Melissa Schwartz, media@endthebacklog.org NEW YORK – The Joyful Heart Foundation, a leader in the effort to eliminate the national rape kit backlog, today applauded Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis’s introduction of Council Bill No. R-16-143, the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit […]
At least seven sexual assaults in Dallas have now been connected to one man, Joseph Beaty. Although the first known assault occurred in 2009, it is only now, eight years later, that Beaty is finally being prosecuted for his crimes. Had all rape kits collected in these assaults been swiftly tested by authorities, crimes could […]
Last week, we were able to sit down for a conversation with State Senator Denise Harper Angel and Michelle Kuiper, two extraordinary leaders in the rape kit reform effort in Kentucky. Sen. Harper Angel has championed legislative reform in Kentucky, sponsoring both a 2015 joint resolution to audit untested kits and the 2016 SAFE Act, […]
