News
Media Highlights
Through our work with the media, Joyful Heart Foundation staff are working to help shape the national media narrative around the need to eliminate the rape kit backlog, to highlight work being done in local jurisdictions, and to hold accountable those standing in the way of comprehensive reform. Our Media Highlights are some recent clips that reflect our efforts.
Investigative Reports
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.
End the Backlog Blog
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It’s Never Too Late: Why We Reclaimed Justice for Cold Case Survivors
By Michelle Kuiper For many survivors of crime, the trauma doesn’t end when the sirens fade or the initial report is filed. Instead, it often marks the beginning of a long, silent wait. Statistics tell a sobering story: between 65% and 80% of sexual assaults are never reported, and for those that are, nearly 70%…
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Louisiana Senate Bill 320: Why CODIS DNA Hit Tracking Matters to Violent Crime Survivors
By Julie Weil When people talk about public safety legislation, the conversation often centers on systems, agencies, databases, and budgets. As someone who survived a violent crime, I see those issues differently. Behind every case number is a person whose life was permanently altered. Behind every unsolved sexual assault, homicide, or other violent crime is…
Press Releases
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Alaska Enacts HB239, Accomplishing All 6 Pillars of Rape Kit Reform
For Immediate Release: Tuesday June 23, 2026 Contact: Olivia Hall, media@endthebacklog.org The Joyful Heart Foundation celebrates the enactment of House Bill 239 in Alaska, which ensures the ongoing operation of the state’s rape kit tracking system and grants survivors the right to know the status of their kit. Four years in the making, this new…
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A Momentous Step in Ending the Rape Kit Backlog
With the Passage of Legislation in Maine, All 50 States Now Have at Least One Pillar of Rape Kit Reform For Immediate ReleaseContact: Olivia Hall, media@endthebacklog.org NEW YORK — In a testament to the power of sustained, survivor-centered advocacy, the End the Backlog Campaign has achieved a long-awaited milestone: all 50 states, Washington D.C., and…
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New York Closes Gap in Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System
For Immediate Release: December 19, 2025 Contact: Olivia Hall, media@endthebacklog.org NEW YORK — Today, the Joyful Heart Foundation celebrate the signing of A1970A/S5225A by Governor Hochul, which expands the statewide rape kit tracking system to require hospital participation and refines kit handling timelines. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember…